Fanconi anemia

Uncommon card · No. 162237

Fanconi anemia (FA), also known as Fanconi cancer, is a rare, autosomal recessive genetic disease characterized by aplastic anemia, congenital defects, endocrinological abnormalities, and an increased incidence of developing cancer. The study of Fanconi anemia has improved scientific understanding of the mechanisms of normal bone marrow function and the development of cancer. Among those affected, the majority develop cancer, most often acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and liver cancer. 90% develop aplastic anemia (the inability to produce blood cells) by age 40. About 60–75% have congenital defects, commonly short stature, abnormalities of the skin, arms, head, eyes, kidneys, and ears, and developmental disabilities. Around 75% have some form of endocrine problem, with varying degrees of severity. 60% of FA is FANC-A, 16q24.3, which has a later onset of bone marrow failure. FA is the result of a genetic defect in a cluster of proteins responsible for DNA...

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