Pancytopenia

Abstract New-onset pancytopenia can be caused by a wide variety of etiologies, leading to a diagnostic dilemma. These etiologies range from congenital bone marrow failure to marrow space-occupying lesions, infection, and peripheral destruction, to name a few. Bone marrow examination, in addition to a detailed clinical history, is often required for an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of many of the causes of new-onset pancytopenia in adults and children, with emphasis on bone marrow findings and recommendations of additional testing and clinical evaluation when needed, with the overall aim of aiding the pathologist’s role as a consultant to the patient’s treating physician. Pancytopenia is a common indication for bone marrow examination and can have numerous causes. Cytotoxic therapies, including myeloablative radiation therapy and chemotherapy, are common, but predictable, causes of pancytopenia in patients being treated systemically for neoplasia. New-onset pancytopenia outside this setting, in both children and adults, can prove to be a diagnostic dilemma, and causes include congenital and acquired bone marrow failure syndromes, marrow space-occupying lesions, peripheral destruction of hematopoietic cells, autoimmune disorders, infection, and ineffective marrow production. Often, the workup of new-onset pancytopenia is extensive and should include a detailed clinical, medication, recreational drug, and environmental exposure ...

There are a number of different conditions that can cause pancytopenia, including bone marrow diseases, some cancers, and some infections; chemotherapy treatment can also cause pancytopenia. The treatment options for pancytopenia depend on the specific causes and usually focus on increasing the levels of cells to improve symptoms while treating the underlying cause. Formation of Blood Cells in the Bone Marrow or Hematopoiesis Blood cells all originate from a single common type of cell in the bone marrow known as a hematopoietic stem cell (HSM) or pluripotential stem cell (meaning it has the "potential" to become many different types of cells). These cells divide and through a process called hematopoiesis become progressively more specialized into all of the blood cells in the body. • A red blood cell count of fewer than 4.2 million cells per microliter (ul) in women or less than 4.7 million cells/ul in men (This may also be described by a low hemoglobin level). • A white blood count of less than 4,000 cells/ul (normal is between 4,000 and 10,000 cells/ul). • A platelet count of less than 150,000 cells/ul (normal is between 150,000 and 400,000 cells/ul). This may involve bone marrow destruction by toxins, bone marrow suppression (during chemotherapy), or the replacement of bone marrow by other cells resulting in the disruption of blood cell production, as can occur with some cancers. Blood cell destruction or suppression may occur from inflammation, infections, or autoimmun...

Pancytopenia is a condition in which you are low in all three types of blood cells: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Signs and symptoms inculde feeling weak, tired, dizzy, fever, chills, bruising, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums. Humans have three types of blood cells: white blood cells, Pancytopenia is a combination of three cytopenias, or conditions of reduced blood cell counts: • • Leukopenia is a low count of white blood cells. • Normal blood cell counts can vary somewhat according to gender, age, and other conditions. Signs and symptoms of pancytopenia Persons with pancytopenia may not show signs of all three conditions. More commonly, you would present with symptoms of a reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets, rather than showing symptoms of all three. Symptoms associated with low red blood cells Persons with pancytopenia may report symptoms associated with Symptoms associated with low white blood cells There are several types of white blood cells. Most symptoms come from a shortage of neutrophils, the most numerous white blood cells, which fight infections. If you have a shortage of neutrophils, you may experience Symptoms associated with low platelets The first symptom of low platelets is often Pancytopenia can also cause enlargement of the spleen, QUESTION Sickle cell disease is named after a farming tool. See Answer Causes of pancytopenia Causes of pancytopenia may vary according to regions of the world. In North America, ma...

Continuing Education Activity Pancytopenia is defined as a decrease in all three hematologic cell lines. The condition is not a disease in itself but a common pathway caused by various etiologies that can be infectious, autoimmune, genetic, nutritional, and/or malignant. Determining the cause of pancytopenia is a challenge and is key in determining the proper treatment regimen and estimating prognosis. Pancytopenia could be a result of decreased production of the cells or increased destruction. Anyone presenting with pancytopenia requires a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying etiology. This activity reviews the most common etiologies of pancytopenia, outlines potential pathways in determining the underlying diagnosis, and highlights the interprofessional team's importance in evaluating and treating these patients. Objectives: • Identify the etiology of pancytopenia. • Describe the evaluation of patients with pancytopenia. • Review the management options available for pancytopenia. • Explain the differentials or pancytopenia and their management. Introduction Pancytopenia is a hematologic condition characterized by a decrease in all three peripheral blood cell lines. It is characterized by a hemoglobin value of less than 12 g/dL in women and 13 g/dL in men, platelets of less than 150,000 per mcL, and leukocytes of less than 4000 per ml (or absolute neutrophil count of less than 1800 per ml). Leukopenia is primarily seen as neutropenia since neutrophils constitute...

Your body produces three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Pancytopenia is when you have abnormally low amounts of all three types of blood cells. It can be caused by diseases, medicines, or the cause may not be known. What Do Your Blood Cells Do? Inside your bones, there's a spongy substance called bone marrow. Your bone marrow produces your Red blood cells. Your red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that gives them their red color. When you breathe in oxygen, it binds to the hemoglobin and is carried throughout your body. Red blood cells also get rid of carbon dioxide by taking it to your lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells. These are also called leukocytes. They only make up about 1% of your blood. White blood cells protect you from illnesses and diseases. They are always flowing through your blood, looking for viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders. When they find a threat, they rush in to fight it. Platelets. Platelets are the smallest of your blood cells. They are shaped like little plates when they're not activated. When you damage a blood vessel, it sends out a signal to your platelets. Your platelets respond by rushing to the area. They bind with the damaged blood vessel by growing tentacles. This causes your blood to clot. Pancytopenia occurs when you have a combination of three different blood disorders: • • • What Are the Symptoms of Pancytopenia? You may not have any symptoms of pancytopenia or you...