|  | Cancer | Other Cancers

About Myelodysplasic Syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, refers to a broad group of cancers in the blood and/or bone marrow. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society estimates that 11,000 MDS cases are diagnosed annually, based on an average of 50,484 diagnosed cases between 2001 and 2005 in the U.S. Males over 70 are the most common patients afflicted with MDS. There are several different types of MDS, some of which are higher risk than others.

  1. What is Myelodysplastic Syndrome?

    • Myelodysplastic syndrome begins in the the bone marrow, when normal bone marrow cells begin to mutate. There are two different types of myelodysplastic syndromes: high risk MDS and low risk MDS. In patients with low risk MDS, the cancer progresses slowly and blood cells and platelets made in the bone marrow continue to be relatively normal. The most common side effect of low risk MDS is anemia, but for the most part each of the cells continue to function normally.
      High risk MDS also begins in the bone marrow, but the cells produced within the bone marrow no longer function normally. In patients with MDS, cells are released before they are developed. These cells, called "blasts" are released early. Usually blast cells make up less than 5% of cells within the marrow, but in an MDS patient they account for higher than 5%. The blast cells never develop fully, and so patients develop low blood cell counts (of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). The low cell count leads to a number of potential medical problems.

    Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Leukemia

    • MDS can progress to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Patients whose bone marrow contains 20% or higher blast (immature) cells are categorized as having AML, which is a life-threatening form of leukemia.

    Causes

    • In the majority of patients, MDS is considered to be a primary cancer and has no known cause. However, MDS can also occur as a secondary form of cancer. This mean the MDS was caused by treatments associated with other cancers (including chemotherapy and radiation treatment). MDS related to cancer treatment is rare, and typically the patient also has an inherited genetic defect that makes his body less able to withstand the cancer treatment.
      Exposure to a chemical called benzene, which is found in cigarettes and industrial settings, may also cause MDS by damaging cell DNA.

    Symptoms

    • MDS may be asymptomatic in many patients. In some instances, it may cause tiredness or fatigue, and/or difficulty breathing, especially during strenuous physical activity. Because it is asymptomatic and the symptoms, when they occur, are also symptoms of many other diseases, MDS is often found during a complete blood cell count during routine physicals. An exact diagnosis of MDS is made by measuring blood cell counts and by a microscopic examination of bone marrow and blood cells.

    Treatment

    • A doctor who specializes in blood disorders, called a hematologist, is recommended for MDS patients. High risk MDS patients may be treated by high doss of chemotherapy, and allogeneic stem cell transplants. Allogeneic stem cell transplants require a matched donor. Low risk MDS patients may simply watch and wait, and not have aggressive treatment for the MDS. MDS patients may also manage symptoms and treat the MDS with blood cell transfusions and by limiting their exposure to infections.
      Some oral medications may also be recommended to help blood cells grow. These medicaitons include Deferasirox, Erythropoietin and Epoetin alfa.

Other Cancers - Related Articles