Mylar Dysplasia

Mylar dysplasia, also known as myelodysplastic syndrome, is one of several syndromes that falls under the blanket term "leukemia," which is cancer of the blood-related tissues of the body, including the white blood cells and bone marrow. There are multiple treatments that are effective if the disease is promptly caught.

Definition

• Myelodysplastic syndrome is actually the name given to several medical conditions in which the bone marrow is, for various reasons, unable to produce enough healthy blood cells. According to St. Jude's cancer research specialists in Memphis, Tennessee, it specifically occurs when the blood cells created by the bone marrow fail to mature into red and white blood cells, or platelets, resulting in secondary infection and anemia.

Risk Factors

• Mylar dysplasia is most prevalent in white males ages 60 and older. It is linked to previous cancer treatment, smoking and heavy-metal exposure.

Symptoms

• There are sometimes no presenting symptoms for mylar dysplasia. It is most easily recognized in routine blood work; however, there are some symptoms that can go unnoticed and should be reported to your doctor. These include shortness of breath, fatigue or weakness, visible signs of anemia, excessive bruising or bleeding, and recurrent low-grade fever or infection.

Treatment

• Treatment commonly begins with blood transfusions to strengthen the body and replenish the healthy blood cells that have been lost. In most cases, chemotherapy is used to eradicate the cancer cells from the bloodstream.

Prognosis

• Prognosis and morbidity vary widely depending on age at time of onset, overall health, disease progression, stage at detection and treatment. Discussing prognosis should be the responsibility of patient and physician.