A health condition that negatively affects blood stem cells and prevents a person from having enough healthy blood cells is called myelodysplastic syndrome (also known as myelodysplasia or MDS). This health condition can also cause anemia (low red blood cell count), infections, and prolonged bleeding (hemorrhage). Moreover, approximately 30% of people with MDS will also develop an acute myeloid leukemia.
Generally, MDS refers to a group of blood cancers that cause the body to produce abnormal blood cells. It often occurs rarely and affects about 4 per 100,000 people in the United States each year. The prognosis and treatment for people with MDS are often different because they depend on the type of MDS they develop and their symptoms. Recently, this condition has been called myelodysplastic neoplasm.
Types of Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Physicians have divided this disorder into several types based on the blood cell counts and genes linked to MDS. These include:
- MDS/AML
- MDS with an SF3B1 mutation or del(5q)
- MDs with excess blasts
According to the previous gene mutations, doctors are able to determine how severe your disorder is. It also helps make the best treatment plan for you.
Symptoms
While some people with this disorder do not have any symptoms, others may experience fatigue (extreme tiredness), which is a common symptom of anemia. Check for other symptoms of MDS below:
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Frequent infections
- Fever
- Bleeding or bruising more than usual
- Pale skin
It is important to understand that having one or more of the previous symptoms does not mean you have MDS. In any case, you should visit a doctor for a diagnosis. Otherwise, it may lead to serious complications.
Causes and Risk Factors
This disorder often causes problems with the development of the cells. As a result, it causes immature blood cells, and experts do not know what exactly causes it. However, they have identified some factors that can make you more prone to MDS. Check some of them below:
- Prolonged exposure to heavy metals (including lead and mercury)
- Cancer treatments (including radiation therapy and chemotherapy)
- Existing genetic disorders (such as Fanconi anemia, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, and others)
- Smoking
- Exposure to benzene or pesticides for long periods
- Related disorder (such as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential)
- Radiation exposure (such as from a nuclear accident)
- Sex – According to some studies, MDS mostly affects males.
What Happens if Myelodysplastic Syndrome is Left Untreated?
People with MDS can also experience some complications, especially if the disorder is left untreated. Check some complications below:
- Severe anemia
- Blood loss
- Infections
- AML (an aggressive form of blood cancer)
- Iron overload
- Pulmonary problems – These include pleural effusion, lung inflammation, lung infections, and others
- Treatment complications (such as graft-versus-host disease, hair loss, mouth sores, and others)
This document does not have all possible complications, but your physician may help reduce the risk of developing them.
Diagnosis
Doctors usually perform a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to MDS. They may also ask questions about your medical history and symptoms to gather more information about your disease. In any case, to rule out or confirm MDS, physicians perform the following tests and procedures. Check some examples below:
- Blood tests – These tests are used to check for immature blood cells (also known as blasts) in the blood. Generally, there are multiple disorders that cause temporary low blood cell counts. That’s why doctors will perform these blood tests several times.
- Bone marrow biopsy – This is the only test that can confirm MDS. To perform it, physicians will take a sample of the bone marrow for testing.
Once you are diagnosed with MDS, physicians will use several scoring systems to determine the extent (stage) of the disease. It helps make the best treatment plan for you. Commonly, they consider:
- Blood cell counts
- Age and general symptoms
- Present abnormal genes
- The number of blasts in the bone marrow
- Levels of hemoglobin
Treatment
The treatment depends on several factors, including the type and severity of MDS, gender, age, existing health problems, and preferences. Check some options that help boost low blood cells below:
- Medicines for anemia – Doctors often prescribe immunosuppressants and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to treat anemia. When these medications do not work, you may need a blood transfusion.
- Thrombopoietin – This medication is used to help the body produce more platelets.
- Antibiotics – Low white blood cell levels often occur due to certain infections. To treat these infections, you may need antibiotics as well as other medications.
However, physicians may also prescribe the following options to destroy cancerous cells. These include:
- Chemotherapy – This treatment involves strong medications that are often given intravenously (IV) to the patients. However, a pill form is also available. Sometimes, doctors may recommend chemotherapy along with radiation therapy to improve the effectiveness of the cancer treatment.
- Targeted therapy – This option involves medicines that target a specific protein in the cancer cells, causing them to die. It is often used when radiation therapy or chemotherapy does not work.
- Stem cell transplant – Sometimes, this treatment option can cure MDS, but it is an intense treatment, which is not an option for everyone who develops this disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Usually, it is recommended to visit a doctor if you have symptoms that resemble MDS. You should also inform your doctor if the treatment you are already following does not work or if you experience new symptoms.
Can you recover from MDS?
In some cases, this disorder can be cured with a stem cell transplant. However, this treatment carries serious risks, and it is not an option for everyone. Discuss it with your doctor for more details.
What is the life expectancy for myelodysplastic syndrome?
Typically, life expectancy for people with MDS varies significantly. For example, people with mild cases often live between 5 and 10 years after diagnosis, but in more severe cases, a person can live only one year. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
