Aplastic anemia vs Pancytopenia

[Trisphorin]

What exactly is the difference between those 2? From my understanding, aplastic anemia has decreased RBC, platelet, and WBC. But what about pancytopenia?

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[Jabbed]

What exactly is the difference between those 2? From my understanding, aplastic anemia has decreased RBC, platelet, and WBC. But what about pancytopenia?

Pancytopenia just refers to a decrease in all three lineages. Aplastic anemia specifically refers to pancytopenia caused by bone marrow stem cell destruction.

 

[torshi]

As the previous poster said: pancytopenia just refers to a decrease in all ("pan") cells. Bone marrow suppression = "LAT" triad = leucopenia, anemia, & thrombocytopenia. Also, a unique characteristic of aplastic anemia reveals normal RBC histology - in terms of structure. The only downside is all cells are decreased in number.
Histology is different from lets say megaloblastic (folate)/pernicious (B12) anemia in which histology of RBCs are macrocytic
Iron deficiency anemia = hypochromic & microcytic (similar to thalassemia - a type of inherited anemia d/t Hb structure change)
Also, anemia d/t Renal failure - histology reveals "spicules" or spikes on RBCs & ONLY RBC decrease

 

[pd1112]

lol wut