Refractory anemia is a bone marrow disease which results in inadequate red blood cells within the blood (anemia). The prognosis is bad with death frequently taking place within a few years. This is a rare kind of disease.
Refractory anemia is a bone marrow disease which results in inadequate red blood cells within the blood (anemia). The prognosis is bad with death frequently taking place within a few years. This is a rare kind of disease.
Types
Type 1 refers to refractory anemia wherein the amount of blasts in the blood is less than 10%.
Type 2 refers to cases when the amount of blasts is 10-20%. When too many immature blood cells (blasts) are produced by the bone marrow, the situation may progress to acute myeloid leukemia, which occurs in a 0.33 percent of cases of Type 2 refractory anemia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of refractory anemia include the following:
Diagnosis
To diagnose anemia, your doctor may question you about your medical and family history, accomplish a physical exam, and run the following tests:
A sample of your bone marrow may be examined to diagnose anemia.
Medications/Treatment
There is no treatment for this type of anemia. Doctors will usually treat the underlying cause. If there are severe symptoms, a blood transfusion or erythropoietin injections may be needed to help stimulate red blood cell production and alleviate symptoms.
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