Aplastic Anemia
Definition
Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder characterized by the bone marrow's inability to produce sufficient new blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This condition can lead to fatigue, increased risk of infections, and uncontrolled bleeding.
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Hematology Program
The Hematology Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers: lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. While the causes of these cancers remain unknown, great strides in treatment, some of which originated from Yale Cancer Center research, are improving survival rates. The overall aim of treatment is to bring about a complete remission. Treatment approaches for blood cancers may include chemotherapy, radiation oncology, stem cell or marrow transplantation, or immunotherapy. Each patient receives an individual treatment plan, which includes standard care and/or clinical trials, which offer novel treatment options. Yale hematopathologists employ the complete range of diagnostic tools available, including bone marrow examination, bone imaging, M protein analysis, cytogenetics, immunophenotyping, and FISH and PCR analysis, as well as genetic testing and the identification of markers that guide prognosis. Additionally, patients have access to caregivers who help them cope with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues related to these cancers. Advanced practice nurses and social workers assist with education, general information, and practical issues of travel and accommodation assistance. The blood cancers we are fighting: Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer, affecting 81,000 Americans each year. While its rates continue to rise, there have also been rapid advances in treatment, and the current 5-year survival rate for all people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma is 87%. Leukemia is a malignant cancer of the bone marrow and blood, diagnosed in 60,000 Americans each year. It is the most common cancer in children and teens. The leukemia death rate for children ranging from birth to age 14 in the United States has declined 60% over the past three decades, due to treatment advances. Myeloma is a disease of the plasma cell, and affects approximately 34,000 new patients annually. Overall survival in patients with myeloma has shown improvement in recent years, with treatments recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a precursor condition that could potentially lead to cancer and should be closely evaluated and monitored. Our myeloma specialists are dedicated to the care of these patients and see them as part of a MGUS Clinic. Stem Cell Transplant The Stem Cell Transplant Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital is a FACT accredited program that was started in 1994 and currently performs around 200 transplants yearly. We perform stem cell and bone marrow transplants for a variety of malignant and benign diseases in both pediatric and adult populations. There are two types of stem cell transplantation that we perform: Autologous transplant: involves using a patient’s own stem cells, whichare collected from their blood and frozen. Allogeneic transplant: involves receiving stem cells from another person, called a donor. A searchInternal Medicine
Covering every aspect of health care for adults, Internal Medicine is the largest department in the Yale School of Medicine, and the largest clinical service at Yale New Haven Hospital. We provide comprehensive and specialized services in all areas in a variety of outpatient settings as well as the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Health Care System campus in West Haven. Our culture of collaboration and research gives patients access to expert opinions from nearly 1,000 doctors, as well as opportunities to get tomorrow’s health care today through more than 100 clinical trials. Most importantly, we attend to our diverse community of patients with compassionate, thorough care. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Allergy & clinical immunology Cardiovascular medicine Digestive diseases Endocrinology General internal medicine Geriatrics Hematology Infectious diseases Medical oncology Occupational health & environmental medicine Nephrology Pulmonology, critical care & sleep medicine Rheumatology International reputation for work in understanding function, independence, and quality of life in older persons Key research breakthroughs of the past decade that include the development of a protective Lyme bacillus disease vaccine, exploration of the underlying causes of allergic disease, and the discovery of novel inherited immunological diseases Largest interventional cardiology program in Connecticut Major referral center for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as other metabolic conditions Nationally ranked program in kidney diseases and the largest kidney transplant program in New England, with multidisciplinary care clinics One of the largest peripheral vascular programs in the country, with leadership and participation in multiple new percutaneous device trials Once of only a few motility centers in Connecticut to provide all motility procedures and services Unique medical forensic exams for individuals with claims of torture who are seeking asylum in the U.S.Leukemia & Lymphoma Program
Leukemia and lymphoma are two of the three primary blood cancers. Leukemia, a cancer of white blood cells, prevents the cells from fighting infections in the body. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, and affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. While the causes of these cancers remain unknown, great strides in treatment, some of which originated from Yale Hematology research, are improving survival rates. Yale uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating leukemia and lymphoma. We offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment with the overall goal of bringing about a complete remission. Treatment approaches for blood cancers may include chemotherapy, radiation oncology, stem cell or marrow transplantation, or immunotherapy. Each patient receives an individual treatment plan, which includes standard care and/or clinical trials, which offer novel treatment options. Leukemia After initial blood work to identify the level of white blood cells relative to red blood cells and platelets, further testing, such as diagnostic blood tests, flow cytometry, a bone marrow biopsy, and/or molecular/genetic testing, will determine the type of leukemia and severity of disease. There are multiple types of leukemia including: Acute lymphocytic leukemia Acute myeloid leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Chronic myeloid leukemia Yale Medicine scientists can determine the particular mutation of the cell and target the mutation. Treatment may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, corticosteroids, and/or stem cell transplant. Lymphoma Lymphoma is classified into two broad categories: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctors confirm a lymphoma diagnosis through a lymph node biopsy. Further testing may be performed to determine the disease progression. The most common treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma is chemotherapy. Novel immunotherapy may also be used. Treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include active surveillance, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplantation. Yale Hematology researchers are conducting numerous clinical trials to test new innovative treatment options in both leukemia and lymphoma.