Pancytopenia is the decrease of all blood cells, i.e. the decrease in the number of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets, which causes signs and symptoms such as paleness, fatigue, bruising, bleeding, fever and tendency to infections.
It can occur both due to a decrease in cell production by the bone marrow, due to situations such as vitamin deficiency, genetic diseases, leukemia or leishmaniasis, and the destruction of blood cells in the bloodstream, by immune diseases or stimulants action.spleen, for example.
- Treatment of pancitopnia should be performed in accordance with the guidelines of the family doctor or hematologist depending on the cause of pancytopnia.
- Which may include the use of corticosteroids.
- Immunosuppressants.
- Antibiotics.
- Blood transfusions or spleen removal.
- For example.
- Which are indicated only according to the needs of each patient.
Signs and symptoms of pancytopenia are related to the reduction of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets in the blood, the main being:
Depending on the case, there may also be signs and symptoms resulting from the disease that causes pancytopnia, such as an enlarged abdomen due to an enlarged spleen, enlarged lymph nodes, bone defects, or skin changes, for example.
Pancytopenia can occur due to two situations: when the bone marrow does not produce blood cells properly or when the bone marrow produces properly but the cells are destroyed in the bloodstream.The main causes of pancytopenia are:
In addition, acute infectious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), can cause a strong immune response in the body, capable of acutely destroying blood cells during infection.
Diagnosis of pancytopenia is made by blood count, which checks the levels of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets decreased in the blood; however, it is also important to identify the cause that led to pancytopnia, which should be done by evaluating the family doctor or hematologist by observing the medical history and the physical examination performed on the patient.In addition, other tests may be recommended to identify the cause of pancytopenia, such as:
Specific tests for the suspected condition, such as immunoelecsotoresis for multiple myeloma or bone marrow culture, may also be prescribed to identify infections, such as leishmaniasis, for example.
Treatment of pancitopnia is guided by the hematologist according to its cause and may include the use of drugs that act on immunity, such as methylprednisolone or prednisone, or immunosuppressants, such as ciclosporin, in the case of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.Pancytopenia is caused by cancer, treatment may include a bone marrow transplant.
In the case of infections, specific treatments are indicated for each microorganism, such as antibiotics, antiviral or pentavalent antimonials in the case of leishmaniasis for example.Blood transfusion is not always adequate, but may be necessary in severe cases that require rapid healing, depending on the cause.