Learn About Acquired Agranulocytosis

What is the definition of Acquired Agranulocytosis?
Acquired agranulocytosis is a rare disorder characterized by a severe decrease in white blood cells (granulocytes) and is usually caused by drugs used to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy, and antipsychotic medications, such as clozapine, which interfere with the production of granulocytes in the bone marrow. The decrease in granulocytes makes individuals with acquired agranulocytosis more susceptible to bacteria infections from bacteria that would otherwise not be considered harmful in a healthy individual.
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What are the symptoms of Acquired Agranulocytosis?
Early symptoms of acquired agranulocytosis are usually a bacterial infection that may include weakness, extreme fatigue, fever, chills, and infected ulcerations in the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and intestinal tract, along with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and irritation, pain, and swelling due to the ulcers. As the reduction in granulocytes (granulocytopenia) continues, patients with acquired agranulocytosis may develop an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) and neutropenia (decreased blood neutrophils). In addition to the early symptoms, individuals with chronic acquired agranulocytosis may experience the development of canker sores in the mouth and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) that regularly recurs.
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What are the current treatments for Acquired Agranulocytosis?
The standard treatment for acquired agranulocytosis is the drug, filgrastim (Neupogen), in addition to identifying and discontinuing other drugs that may be causing the disorder. Some patients with acquired agranulocytosis may require treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroid therapy for associated bacterial infections. Immunocompromised patients with acquire agranulocytosis may require gamma globulin infusions. The associated mouth and throat ulcers can be treated with saline or hydrogen peroxide gargles, anesthetic lozenges, and antifungal mouthwashes containing the drug, nystatin, for oral fungal infections, such as thrush or Candida albicans (yeast infection). A liquid diet may be necessary until the ulcers heal. Acquired agranulocytosis will usually resolve once the granulocyte levels return to normal.
Who are the top Acquired Agranulocytosis Local Doctors?
TC
Dr. Terrence P. Cescon
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Distinguished
Highly rated in
40
conditions
Hematology Oncology
Hematology
Oncology

Tower Health

Hematology Oncology - Tower Health Medical Group

420 S 5th Ave, 
West Reading, PA 

Terrence Cescon is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Cescon has been practicing medicine for over 35 years and is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acquired Agranulocytosis. He is also highly rated in 40 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acquired Agranulocytosis, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Chronic B-Cell Leukemia (CBCL), Chronic Familial Neutropenia, and Prostatectomy.

JG
Dr. Jonathan J. Gries
Family Medicine
Advanced
Highly rated in
1
conditions
Family Medicine

Indiana University Health

IU Health Primary Care Fort Wayne - South

7230 Engle Rd, 
Fort Wayne, IN 

Jonathan Gries is a Family Medicine expert in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Gries has been practicing medicine for over 13 years and is rated as an Advanced expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acquired Agranulocytosis. He is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acquired Agranulocytosis, Chronic Familial Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, and Hemosiderosis. Gries is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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HN
Dr. Hoa P. Nguyen
Hematology Oncology
Advanced
Highly rated in
56
conditions
Hematology Oncology

Adventist Health

Cancer Center

618 5th St, 
Marysville, CA 

Hoa Nguyen is a Hematologist Oncology expert in Marysville, California. Nguyen has been practicing medicine for over 23 years and is rated as an Advanced expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acquired Agranulocytosis. He is also highly rated in 56 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Ovarian Cancer, Thrombocytopenia, Familial Colorectal Cancer, and Paget Disease of the Breast. Nguyen is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the Latest Advances for Acquired Agranulocytosis?

There is no recent research available for this condition. Please check back because thousands of new papers are published every week and we strive to find and display the most recent relevant research as soon as it is available.