05-12-2009, 08:46 PM
A 75-year-old man has widely disseminated prostate cancer. He is being followed at home because he has refused any further specific anti-cancer therapy. His hematocrit drops from a previously stable 42% to 25% over a two month period. Review of the peripheral blood smear demonstrates normochromia, anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and nucleated red blood cells. Rare immature myeloid cells are also seen in the smear. This patient's anemia is best classified as which of the following?
A. Autoimmune anemia
B. Hereditary hemoglobin synthesis abnormality
C. Myelophthisic anemia
D. Nutritional deficiency anemia
E. Red cell membrane defect anemia
Explanation:
Please see the first response below!!!