Treatment For Aplastic Anemia

February 9, 2006 (Press Release) -- Patients with mild or moderate aplastic anemia generally do not require immediate treatment. Indeed, it is not known if they would benefit from early use of any of the therapies described below. They should be watched carefully for any decline in their blood counts. If such patients require transfusions, a decision should be made whether any of the below therapies should be employed even though they do not meet strict criteria for severe aplastic anemia.
For the patient with severe aplastic anemia, treatment should begin within 4 weeks after presentation. Spontaneous increase in blood counts after 2-3 weeks is less likely and potential for mortality and morbidity increase rapidly. Three types of therapy are known to have benefit. These are bone marrow transplantation, immunosuppression with medicines such as antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and/or cyclosporine.....find more...