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Signs of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndrome is actually a group of syndromes classified as cancers of the blood and bone marrow. The syndrome develops when the bone marrow does not function or mature properly, which causes a lack of healthy cells. Myelodysplastic syndrome can lead to potentially life-threatening complications. There is no cure for the condition, and no effective treatment has been identified.

The goals in treating the condition are preventing complications. In younger patients, a bone marrow transplant may be used as treatment. Myelodysplastic syndrome most commonly develops in adults over 60, and it is a little more common in men than women.

  1. Weight Loss

    • In some cases, people with myelodysplastic syndrome may lose weight for no apparent reason. Weight loss not attributable to a change in diet or exercise is a symptom of many health conditions. Because many of them are serious, unexplained weight loss should always be reported to your doctor.

    Paleness

    • People with myelodysplastic syndromes often become more pale than they once were. This pallor is attributable to anemia, a condition in which the blood is lacking iron.

    Skin

    • Some people with myelodysplastic anemia may notice a change in the appearance of the skin. In some cases, small, pin-prick size dots may appear just underneath the skin. These dots, called petechiae, are caused by bleeding and are a common sign of myelodyplastic syndrome.

    Fatigue

    • Unexplained fatigue is sometimes a sign of myelodysplastic syndrome. Report persistent fatigue to your doctor.

    Shortness of Breath

    • In some cases, people with myelodysplastic syndrome will develop shortness of breath or mild difficulty breathing. These symptoms should always be reported to your doctor.

    Infections

    • If you begin to experience frequent or recurrent infections, this could be a sign of erythema multiforme. In many cases, a fever can be a sign of an infection that otherwise has no symptoms. If you frequently develop a fever or have other signs of an infection, contact your doctor.

    Bruising

    • Myelodysplastic syndrome can result in unusual bruising or bleeding. If it seems as though your skin is bruising much easier than usual or if you experience unexplained bleeding such as nosebleeds, contact your doctor.

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