| Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) refers to a | | | | tiredness and shortness of breath). Lack of white |
| heterogeneous group of closely linked clonal | | | | blood cells leaves the body open to infection. Lack |
| hematopoietic disorders. Myelodysplastic | | | | of platelet cells makes it accomplish for the blood |
| syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases that | | | | to clot (leading to unusual bruising or bleeding) |
| involve the bone marrow and blood. The bone | | | | Different people are affected in different ways |
| marrow in myelodysplastic syndrome is typically | | | | by myelodysplastic syndrome, and its symptoms |
| more active than normal and yet the numbers of | | | | can range from mild to very severe. Some |
| blood cells in the circulation are reduced. This is | | | | people may only have long-term (chronic) anemia. |
| because most of the cells being produced in the | | | | MDS usually occurs in older people, typically |
| bone marrow are defective and are destroyed | | | | starting after age 50. Myelodysplastic syndrome is |
| before they leave the bone marrow to enter the | | | | rarely inherited. MDS can affect people of any |
| blood stream. The hallmark of the myelodysplastic | | | | age, more than 80% of cases are in people over |
| syndromes is the combination of a hyperactive | | | | age 60. |
| marrow with low blood cell counts. | | | | Men are more likely than women to develop MDS. |
| A reduction in numbers of all types of blood cell is | | | | This is most marked in the typical older patient |
| called pancytopaenia. The other common feature | | | | group. The myelodysplastic syndromes are |
| of the myelodysplastic syndromes is abnormality | | | | accomplished to treat because of the unusual |
| in the appearance of the bone marrow and blood | | | | combination of hyperactive marrow but not |
| cells. These abnormalities are characteristic of the | | | | enough blood cell production. People with high risk |
| condition. MDS might be linked to heavy exposure | | | | myelodysplasia may only need supportive |
| to several chemicals, such as certain solvents or | | | | treatment to help improve any symptoms caused |
| pesticides, or to radiation. MDS can also be caused | | | | by low blood counts. Others may need |
| by treatment with chemotherapy or radiation | | | | chemotherapy, or it may be possible for a small |
| therapy for other diseases. This is called | | | | number of people to have a stem cell transplant. |
| treatment-related MDS or secondary MDS. The | | | | Cytotoxic chemotherapy is used in MDS patients |
| symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome are | | | | with increasing myeloblasts. Supportive care |
| related to the lack of normal blood cells. | | | | includes transfusion of RBCs or platelets. |
| Lack of red blood cells results anemia (leading to | | | | |