Myelodysplasia Diagnosis

Myelodysplasia, or MDS, is a group of disorders caused by the malfunctioning of the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the material in the center of bones that is responsible for the production and maintenance of blood cells. These cells, from red and white blood cells to platelets, are responsible for many of the body's vital activities, so it is important to diagnose MDS before it leads to a more serious condition.

Features

• Myelodysplasia operates by disrupting the production of blood cells in the bone marrow when they're still in their stem cell stage. By mutating the stem cells, MDS causes the marrow to produce fewer blood cells, and those that are produced are often malformed and unable to function normally. This disruption of the blood cells opens the body up to a host of other diseases, many of which prove fatal over time.

Causes

• MDS is not infectious, nor can be it be passed on through hereditary means. A few cases are thought to be caused by overexposure to benzene or radiation. In addition, chemotherapy is thought to be responsible for some cases of MDS. However, the most common cause is normally the inhalation of the spores of black mold or insecticidal spray. All of these causes can begin to mutate the blood stem cells in the marrow.

Frequency

• The most significant factor in susceptibility to MDS is age: 30 percent of cases occur between ages 60 to 70, while 60 percent occur between ages 70 to 80. Up until the age of 50 the incidence rate of MDS is higher in women, but after 50 most cases appear in men. This has led to the suspicion that the condition may be influenced by hormonal factors.

Symptoms

• The difficulty in early detection of MDS is that it is almost symptomless until it has progressed to a severe degree. However, the malfunctioning blood cells disrupt bodily processes that are noticeable. The lack of red blood cells means that less oxygen is carried around the body, leading a sufferer of MDS to excessive panting or fatigue during physical exercise. The lack of oxygen can also lead to the development of anemia. The lack of white blood cells leads to a weakened immune system, meaning a sufferer is generally more susceptible to other diseases. MDS can cause spontaneous bleeding, especially from the gums.

Treatment

• Progressive blood tests can help to detect MDS, as can performing a bone marrow biopsy to check the condition of the patient's bone marrow. If it is diagnosed, the most effective treatment is to undergo a bone marrow or stem cell transplant with a compatible donor. The donor can be autologous, which means a transplant from the patient himself; syngeneic, an identical twin; or allogeneic, a remote, compatible source. The symptoms of MDS can be alleviated, but not cured, by a transfusion of blood or the drug erythropoietin, which stimulates production of blood cells in the bone marrow.