Cytopenia

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Cytopenia is a reduction in the number of mature blood cells. It can have many causes, and commonly occurs in people with cancer being treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Contents

Types

There are also two general causes of cytopenia: autoimmune and refractory. Autoimmune cytopenia is caused by an autoimmune disease when your body produces antibodies to destroy the healthy blood cells. Refractory cytopenia is caused by bone marrow not producing healthy blood cells, and can be a result of cancer.

Symptoms and signs

The symptoms of cytopenia vary depending on the type.

The symptoms of anemia include:[ citation needed ]

The symptoms of leukopenia include:

The symptoms of thrombocytopenia include:

Causes

Cytopenias can be caused by anything that decreases the production of blood cells or increases the destruction of blood cells. This includes, but is not limited to:[ citation needed ]

Treatment

The treatments for cytopenia vary depending on the type of cytopenia. The treatment for anemia is rest and a diet consisting of high iron foods. Medication can also be used such as:[ citation needed ]

People with thrombocytopenia are advised to avoid contact with people who are ill, monitor closely for signs of infection, and take antibiotics when appropriate.

Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation are effective for all types of cytopenias. However, when a compatible donor cannot be found, immunosuppressive therapy is also common. Antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) or antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is mixed with cyclosporine to promote cell growth. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anemia</span> Reduced ability of blood to carry oxygen

Anemia or anaemia is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin or hemoglobin abnormalities. The name is derived from Ancient Greek ἀν- (an-) 'not', and αἷμα (haima) 'blood'. When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague, such as tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, and a reduced ability to exercise. When anemia is acute, symptoms may include confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out, loss of consciousness, and increased thirst. Anemia must be significant before a person becomes noticeably pale. Symptoms of anemia depend on how quickly hemoglobin decreases. Additional symptoms may occur depending on the underlying cause. Preoperative anemia can increase the risk of needing a blood transfusion following surgery. Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myelodysplastic syndrome</span> Diverse collection of blood-related cancers

A myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is one of a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature, and as a result, do not develop into healthy blood cells. Early on, no symptoms typically are seen. Later, symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, bleeding disorders, anemia, or frequent infections. Some types may develop into acute myeloid leukemia.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a severe hematologic condition in which the body fails to make blood cells in sufficient numbers. Aplastic anemia is associated with cancer and various cancer syndromes. Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow by stem cells that reside there. Aplastic anemia causes a deficiency of all blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neutropenia</span> Abnormally low concentration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood

Neutropenia is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils make up the majority of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria, bacterial fragments and immunoglobulin-bound viruses in the blood. People with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and, without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immune thrombocytopenic purpura</span> Medical condition with rash and bleeding risk

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia, is a type of thrombocytopenic purpura characterized by a low platelet count in the absence of other causes, and accompanied by a red-purple rash called purpura. It leads to an increased risk of bleeding. ITP manifests in two distinct clinical syndromes: an acute form observed in children, and chronic conditions observed in adults. The acute form often follows an infection and typically resolves within two months, while chronic immune thrombocytopenia persists for longer than six months and its specific cause is unknown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrombocytopenia</span> Abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood

In hematology, thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood. Low levels of platelets in turn may lead to prolonged or excessive bleeding. It is the most common coagulation disorder among intensive care patients and is seen in a fifth of medical patients and a third of surgical patients.

Bone marrow suppression also known as myelotoxicity or myelosuppression, is the decrease in production of cells responsible for providing immunity (leukocytes), carrying oxygen (erythrocytes), and/or those responsible for normal blood clotting (thrombocytes). Bone marrow suppression is a serious side effect of chemotherapy and certain drugs affecting the immune system such as azathioprine. The risk is especially high in cytotoxic chemotherapy for leukemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leukopenia</span> Medical condition

Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of leukocytes (WBC). Found in the blood, they are the white blood cells, and are the body's primary defense against an infection. Thus the condition of leukopenia places individuals at increased risk of infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome</span> Medical condition

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked recessive disease characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenia, immune deficiency, and bloody diarrhea. It is also sometimes called the eczema-thrombocytopenia-immunodeficiency syndrome in keeping with Aldrich's original description in 1954. The WAS-related disorders of X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) and X-linked congenital neutropenia (XLN) may present with similar but less severe symptoms and are caused by mutations of the same gene.

Evans syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which an individual's immune system attacks their own red blood cells and platelets, the syndrome can include immune neutropenia. These immune cytopenias may occur simultaneously or sequentially.

Pancytopenia is a medical condition in which there is significant reduction in the number of almost all blood cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sideroblastic anemia</span> Medical condition

Sideroblastic anemia, or sideroachrestic anemia, is a form of anemia in which the bone marrow produces ringed sideroblasts rather than healthy red blood cells (erythrocytes). In sideroblastic anemia, the body has iron available but cannot incorporate it into hemoglobin, which red blood cells need in order to transport oxygen efficiently. The disorder may be caused either by a genetic disorder or indirectly as part of myelodysplastic syndrome, which can develop into hematological malignancies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GATA1</span> Protein-coding gene in humans

GATA-binding factor 1 or GATA-1 is the founding member of the GATA family of transcription factors. This protein is widely expressed throughout vertebrate species. In humans and mice, it is encoded by the GATA1 and Gata1 genes, respectively. These genes are located on the X chromosome in both species.

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML) is a form of acute myeloid leukemia that involves a proliferation of CFU-GM myeloblasts and monoblasts. AMML occurs with a rapid increase amount in white blood cell count and is defined by more than 20% of myeloblast in the bone marrow. It is classified under "M4" in the French-American-British classification (FAB). It is classified under "AML, not otherwise classified" in the WHO classification.

Hematologic diseases are disorders which primarily affect the blood and blood-forming organs. Hematologic diseases include rare genetic disorders, anemia, HIV, sickle cell disease and complications from chemotherapy or transfusions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia</span> Medical condition

Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT) is a rare autosomal recessive bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by severe thrombocytopenia, which can progress to aplastic anemia and leukemia. CAMT usually manifests as thrombocytopenia in the initial month of life or in the fetal phase. Typically CAMPT presents with petechiae, cerebral bleeds, recurrent rectal bleeding, or pulmonary hemorrhage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White blood cell</span> Type of cells of the immunological system

White blood cells, also called immune cells, or immunocytes, are cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. White blood cells include three main subtypes; granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes.

Gestational (incidental) thrombocytopenia is a condition that commonly affects pregnant women. Thrombocytopenia is defined as the drop in platelet count from the normal range of 150,000–400,000/μL to a count lower than 150,000/μL. There is still ongoing research to determine the reason for the lowering of platelet count in women with a normal pregnancy. Some researchers speculate the cause to be dependent on dilution, decreased production of platelets, or an increased turnover event. Although women with normal pregnancy experience a low platelet count, women experiencing a continuous drop in platelet will be diagnosed with thrombocytopenia and women with levels greater than 70,000/μL will be diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia.

Bone marrow failure occurs in individuals who produce an insufficient amount of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Red blood cells transport oxygen to be distributed throughout the body's tissue. White blood cells fight off infections that enter the body. Bone marrow also contains platelets, which trigger clotting, and thus help stop the blood flow when a wound occurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X-linked thrombocytopenia</span> Medical condition

X-linked thrombocytopenia, also referred to as XLT or thrombocytopenia 1, is an inherited clotting disorder that primarily affects males. It is a WAS-related disorder, meaning it is caused by a mutation in the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) gene, which is located on the short arm of the X chromosome. WAS-related disorders include Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome, XLT, and X-linked congenital neutropenia (XLN). Of the WAS-related disorders, X-linked thrombocytopenia is considered to be the milder phenotype. Between 1 and 10 per million males worldwide are affected with this disorder. Females may be affected with this disorder but this is very rare since females have two X chromosomes and are therefore typically carriers of the mutation.

References

  1. "Leukopenia - MeSH - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  2. "Neutropenia - MeSH - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  3. "Cytopenia Overview, Types - Cytopenia - HealthCommunities.com". www.healthcommunities.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  4. "Anemia - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  5. "Cytopenia Treatment, Prognosis - Cytopenia - HealthCommunities.com". www.healthcommunities.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2019-02-26.