Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatment Options

The term myelodysplastic syndrome refers to several distinct but closely related hematological conditions, all of which involve dysfunctional production of white blood cells. It is marked by low white and red blood cell counts, low platelet counts, and blood cell abnormalities. Myelodysplastic syndrome may be idiopathic or the result of past cancer treatments or exposure to certain chemicals.

Anemia

• Patients with anemia might respond to medications such as Procrit to stimulate the production of red blood cells.

Neutropenia

• Patients with neutropenia--a lack of white blood cells called neutrophils, which are essential for fighting infection--might be treated with Neupogen to stimulate the growth of neutrophil cells.

Supportive Care

• For patients who do not adequately respond to drug treatment, transfusions of red blood cells and platelets can replace the cells that are dying prematurely in the bone marrow.

Leukemia

• Myelodysplastic syndrome can lead to the blood cancer leukemia. Anti-cancer drugs such as Vidaza and Dacogen can kill abnormal blood cells and alter the DNA of other blood cells to prevent them from causing leukemia.

Bone Marrow Transplants

• Patients with late-stage myelodysplastic syndrome might be given a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplant recipients must be younger than 55 and have a suitable donor available.

Clinical Trials

• Dr. Emmanual Besa, of the Kimmel Cancer Center and a professor at Thomas Jefferson University, encourages patients to participate in clinical trials because drugs are constantly being developed.