Diagnosis and treatment of acquired aplastic anemia

Andrea Bacigalupo1, Jakob Passweg

  • 1Divisione di Ematologia e Trapianto di Midollo Osseo, Ospedale San Martino Largo, Rosanna Benzi 10, Genova 16132, Italy. andrea.bacigalupo@hsanmartino.it

Acquired severe aplastic anemia can be treated successfully with either immunosuppressive therapy or bone marrow transplantation. Although immunosuppressive therapy can be readily administered to all patients, it is not a curative approach and is associated with a higher risk of clonal evolution than is transplantation, which yields rapid and long-lasting hematologic remission. This article reviews the key diagnostic and prognostic factors that influence the choice of therapy in patients with acquired aplastic anemia.

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