Aplastic anemia treatment aims to address underlying causes, relieve symptoms, and stimulate blood cell production. Treatments may include blood transfusions or stem cell transplants.

Aplastic anemia is a severe blood disorder in which the bone marrow cannot produce enough blood cells. Conditions that damage the stem cells in bone marrow can cause the condition.

Treatments for this condition may vary depending on the severity and cause but can help improve symptoms and, in some cases, cure aplastic anemia.

Two medical professionals examining blood bags from people with aplastic anemia.-2Share on Pinterest
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Treatment for aplastic anemia typically involves:

  • treating any underlying conditions causing the disorder
  • reducing symptoms
  • stimulating new blood cell production

A doctor may first aim to treat the underlying conditions they suspect could be causing aplastic anemia. In some cases, treating the cause may reverse the condition.

Some treatment options, such as blood transfusions, can temporarily reduce symptoms such as fatigue and anemia. This may improve a person’s quality of life and help them manage the disorder.

Other treatments, such as immunosuppressive therapy, aim to slow the condition’s progression.

However, the only intervention that may cure the disorder is a blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant.

Some people with mild or moderate aplastic anemia may not require treatment. For those who do, a doctor may discuss different options that vary according to the severity of the disorder, the person’s general health, and other factors.

If a doctor suspects a particular underlying cause, they will first treat the condition they suspect is triggering aplastic anemia. This may involve:

  • treating viral infections
  • stopping certain medications
  • stopping further exposure to harmful substances or chemicals

If there is no underlying condition causing aplastic anemia or treatment of an underlying cause does not reverse the disorder, a doctor may treat the condition in the following ways:

Blood transfusions

A doctor may treat aplastic anemia with blood transfusions. This treatment can temporarily relieve symptoms of the disorder.

During a blood transfusion, a healthcare professional will use a needle to insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein. Donor blood from a bag will travel through the IV line into the vein, where it can begin to circulate in the body. The transfusion may take 1 to 4 hours.

Blood transfusions cannot cure aplastic anemia, but they can provide blood cells that the bone marrow is not producing. These include red blood cells to help relieve symptoms, such as fatigue, and platelets to help prevent bleeding.

Rarely, receiving frequent transfusions may lead to complications, such as:

Immunosuppressive therapy

Immunosuppressive therapy cannot cure aplastic anemia. However, it can help slow or stop further damage from occurring in the bone marrow.

Most cases of aplastic anemia occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy bone marrow.

Immunosuppressive therapy involves taking medications called immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf), to stop the immune system from attacking.

Doctors may use immunosuppressants to treat aplastic anemia in someone who cannot have or is waiting for a stem cell transplant.

The risks and side effects of immunosuppressive therapy may include:

Blood and bone marrow stem cell transplants

A stem cell transplant is the only treatment that can cure aplastic anemia. However, it may only be suitable for certain people. A doctor may suggest a stem cell treatment if:

  • a person is in relatively good health
  • the benefits of the transplant outweigh the risks
  • doctors can find matching donor stem cells

Before a stem cell transplant, a person may undergo conditioning, which involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. A doctor will then transplant stem cells from a donor’s blood and bone marrow.

Stem cell transplantation can be intensive, and a person may have to spend a few weeks in the hospital after the procedure.

Side effects and complications of stem cell transplants include:

The outlook for people who receive aplastic anemia treatment can vary depending on several factors. These include the severity of the condition and the person’s overall health and age.

A 2017 study suggests the 5-year survival rate for people who had treatment for aplastic anemia in Sweden from 2000 to 2011 was 70% to 80%.

Five-year survival rates are typically higher than 75% for those who receive a stem cell transplant from a suitable donor.

A 2018 French study that mostly focused on immunosuppressive therapy treatment found that 32% of people responded completely to treatment and 15% partially responded.

In a long-term 2020 study of 302 people with aplastic anemia in Switzerland, researchers found that relapse occurred in 24% of people who had immunosuppressive therapy. Within the study, 19% of those who had a stem cell transplant experienced graft-versus-host disease.

A person needs to contact a doctor if they have symptoms of aplastic anemia. These include:

Someone with aplastic anemia should also contact a doctor if their symptoms worsen. The disorder can increase the risk of developing severe blood disorders, including leukemia.

Is it possible to cure aplastic anemia?

A successful stem cell transplant with cells from a suitable donor can cure aplastic anemia.

What is the life expectancy of aplastic anemia with treatment?

A 2017 study that examined people undergoing aplastic anemia treatment in Sweden from 2000 to 2011 suggests the 5-year survival rate is 70 to 80%.

What is the most common therapy for aplastic anemia?

Stem cell transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy are the most common treatments for aplastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia treatment aims to reduce the symptoms of the disorder and increase blood cell production.

Doctors usually first treat any underlying causes of aplastic anemia, which may reverse the disorder.

Further treatment for aplastic anemia can include blood transfusions to temporarily reduce symptoms, immunosuppressive therapy to reduce further damage to bone marrow, and stem cell transplantation to stimulate blood cell production.