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Pancytopenia Treatment
Pancytopenia is a blood disorder where there is a decrease in all 3 types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This happens when something is wrong with the bone marrow, where blood cells are formed.
Signs and symptoms of pancytopenia are due to the decrease in the specific blood cell types. These include:
- Too few red blood cells (anemia) reduces the ability to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.
- A decrease in white blood cells (leukopenia) increases the risk of infection.
- Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) causes easy bruising and bleeding.
Patients with pancytopenia can have serious complications. If untreated, this disorder can be life threatening.
Learn more about pancytopenia on the Together by St. Jude™ online resource.
Treatment of pancytopenia
Treatment for pancytopenia involves managing complications of anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia as well as treating the underlying cause. Rarely, in mild cases patients may not need treatment other than monitoring and watching for signs and symptoms.
Treatments for pancytopenia include:
- Medicines that stimulate the bone marrow to produce cells
- Medicines that suppress the immune system (if the immune system is thought to be attacking the bone marrow)
- Stem cell (bone marrow) transplant
- Blood transfusions (red blood cells or platelets)
Pancytopenia clinical trials
St. Jude offers clinical trials and research studies for children, teens, and young adults with blood disorders. Learn more about clinical research at St. Jude.
Recruiting
Study goal:
The primary purpose of this study is to examine the safety of administration of the unlicensed investigational NCBP HPC-CORD BLOOD products in a multi-institution setting.
- St. Jude scientists and doctors work together to learn more about bone marrow failure and blood disorders. These findings can lead to new and better treatments.
- St. Jude doctors and faculty members are engaged in the latest research studies. Patients who qualify for clinical trials may choose to take part. By doing these studies, we hope to better understand and treat blood disorders.
- St. Jude also develops collaborative research partnerships with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other institutions throughout the world.
- St. Jude offers services and resources to support patients and families and help with physical, emotional, social, and educational needs.
- The St. Jude Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy program uses state-of-the-art approaches to provide the best treatments and reduce side effects for pediatric patients. Doctors in the St. Jude Transplant Program work closely with scientists to rapidly move discoveries from the lab to the clinic.
Seeking treatment at St. Jude
Patients accepted to St. Jude must have a disease we treat and must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. We accept most patients based on their ability to enroll in an open clinical trial.
Contact the Physician / Patient Referral Office
Call: 1-888-226-4343 (toll-free) or 901-595-4055 (local) | Fax: 901-595-4011 | Email: referralinfo@stjude.org | 24-hour pager: 1-800-349-4334