What is "malignant anemia"

malignant anemia \malignant anemia\ n. (Med.) A chronic progressive anemia of older adults, thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B-12); also called pernicious anemia.

n. a chronic progressive anemia of older adults; thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12) [syn: pernicious anemia, pernicious anaemia, malignant anaemia]