aplastic anemia

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. severe anemia due to destruction or depressed functioning of the bone marrow, usually resulting from bone cancer, radiation, or the toxic effects of certain drugs or chemicals.

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aplastic anemia Scientific  

/ ā-plăs′tĭk /

1. A form of anemia in which the capacity of the bone marrow to generate red blood cells is defective. Aplastic anemia may be caused by bone marrow disease or exposure to toxic agents, such as radiation, chemicals, or drugs.

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Etymology

Origin of aplastic anemia

First recorded in 1930–35; a- ⁶ + -plastic

Example Sentences

In aplastic anemia, where the marrow stops making enough blood cells, and in inherited blood disorders such as sickle-cell disease, stem-cell transplantation has emerged as a curative therapy as the procedure has become safer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Lim notes that these findings have direct relevance for people facing often deadly diseases caused by shortened telomeres, including aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2025

In 2017, Guimaraes was forced to take 20 months of medical leave after he developed aplastic anemia after being exposed to toxic smoke and benzene on the job, according to the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2024

A biopsy revealed that she had a condition called aplastic anemia, a form of bone-marrow failure.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 15, 2019

Studies of his blood revealed a severe depression of the bone marrow called aplastic anemia.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson