Fanconi's anemia

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Formed elements of blood

Most patients visit a hematologist, an endocrinologist, and an ophthalmologist regularly. An orthopedist, gynecologist, or nephrologist may be seen as needed.

The reported survival of patients with Fanconi's anemia is highly varied, ranging from 2 to 25 years. The prognosis is especially poor if blood counts are low. Survival has likely been improved by the development and refinement of therapies, such as bone marrow transplantation.

Although bone marrow transplantation can restore blood counts, patients with Fanconi's anemia remain predisposed to a variety of cancers (leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, liver cancer, and others).

Women with Fanconi's anemia who become pregnant should be watched carefully by a doctor, as they often require transfusions throughout pregnancy. Men with Fanconi's anemia have decreased fertility, although a small number have fathered children.

Review Date: 07/29/2005
Reviewed By: William Matsui, M.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.