Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Specialist

What is bone marrow failure syndrome?

There are several types of bone marrow failure syndromes. These conditions are rare genetic blood disorders that typically involve aplastic anemia, where your bone marrow fails to produce blood. The main types of bone marrow failure syndromes are:

• Fanconi anemia (FA)
• Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (Amega)
• Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA)
• Dyskeratosis congenita (DC)
• Pearson syndrome
• Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN)
• Shwachman Diamond syndrome (SDS)
• Thrombocytopenia absent radii (TAR)

Patients with bone marrow failure syndrome have a high risk of developing cancer.

What symptoms does bone marrow failure syndrome cause?

Common symptoms of bone marrow failure syndromes include:

• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Breathlessness
• Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
• Recurrent bacterial infections
• Bruising easily
• Bleeding from your nose or gums

Some types of bone marrow failure syndrome may have specific symptoms such as skeletal abnormalities or an enlarged liver.

How is bone marrow failure syndrome diagnosed?

The first stage in diagnosing bone marrow failure syndrome is attending a one-to-one consultation at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA. Your provider talks about your symptoms with you, reviews your medical and family history, and performs a physical exam.

The practice has state-of-the-art phlebotomy (blood testing) and diagnostic imaging facilities onsite. You might need to have an ultrasound or X-rays as well as blood tests, and your provider may wish to aspirate (draw) some bone marrow for lab testing. 

How is bone marrow failure syndrome treated?

The treatment your provider at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, advises for bone marrow failure syndrome depends on the cause of your condition and its severity. Potential therapies include:

Transplants

A bone marrow transplant from a suitable donor is one of the main treatments for several types of bone marrow failure syndromes.

Transfusions

You might benefit from blood or platelet transfusions. The Houston Cancer Institute, PA, has a fully equipped transfusion suite onsite.

Immunosuppression

Intensive immunosuppressive therapy using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine is the gold-standard treatment for severe aplastic anemia. Steroid medications can also help with immunosuppression.

Androgens

Androgens (male sex hormones) are useful for treating inherited bone marrow failure syndromes such as dyskeratosis congenita and Fanconi's anemia.

If you have concerns about bone marrow failure syndrome, get expert help from the team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA. Call the nearest office to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.