Myelodysplastic syndrome is a group of disorders when the blood cells produced in the bone marrow do not mature into healthy cells. This leaves you with fewer healthy blood cells in your body. The blood cells that have matured may not function properly.
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a form of cancer. In about a third of people, MDS may develop into acute myeloid leukemia.
Myeloid malignancy; Myelodysplastic syndrome; MDS; Preleukemia; Smoldering leukemia; Refractory anemia; Refractory cytopenia
Stem cells in bone marrow form different types of blood cells. With MDS, the DNA in stem cells becomes damaged. Because the DNA is damaged, the stem cells can’t produce healthy blood cells.
The exact cause of MDS is not known. For most cases, there is no known cause.
Risk factors for MDS include:
Prior cancer treatment increases the risk for MDS. This is called secondary or treatment-related MDS.
MDS usually occurs in adults age of 60 years and older. It is more common in men.
Early stage MDS often has no symptoms. MDS is often discovered during other blood tests.
People with very low blood counts often experience symptoms. Symptoms depend on the type of blood cell affected, and they include:
Your treatment will depend on several factors:
The goal of MDS treatment is to prevent problems due to a shortage of blood cells, infections and bleeding. It may consist of:
Your provider may try one or more treatments to see what your MDS responds to.
Pranitha Naini is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Leesburg, Virginia. Dr. Naini has been practicing medicine for over 23 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). She is also highly rated in 39 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Embolism, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Saddle Pulmonary Embolism, and Lung Cancer. Dr. Naini is currently accepting new patients.
Manoel Moraes is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Lansdowne, Virginia. Dr. Moraes has been practicing medicine for over 42 years and is rated as an Advanced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Lung Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Dr. Moraes is currently accepting new patients.
Timothy Mccarthy is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Reston, Virginia. Dr. Mccarthy has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and is rated as an Experienced doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer, and Familial Colorectal Cancer. Dr. Mccarthy is currently accepting new patients.
The outlook will depend on your type of MDS and severity of symptoms. Your overall health also may affect your chances of recovery. Many people have stable MDS that does not progress into cancer for years, if ever.
Some people with MDS may develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
MDS complications include:
Contact your provider if you:
Summary: This phase Ib/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of ibrutinib and how well it works in treating patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Ibrutinib may help improve COVID-19 symptoms by lessening the inflammatory response in the lungs, while preserving overall immune function. This may reduce the need to be on a ventilator to help with breathing.
Summary: This study will assess the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of ⍺/β CD3+ T-cell and CD19+ B-cell depletion in allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), high risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and lymphoma. Subjects will receive an allogeneic stem cel...
Published Date: October 28, 2021
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 05/09/2022.
National Cancer Institute website. Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/hp/mds-mpd-treatment-pdq. Updated January 26, 2022. Accessed May 9, 2022.
Nguyen PL, Hasserjian RP. Myelodysplastic syndromes. In: Hsi ED, ed. Hematopathology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 18.
Steensma DP, Stone RM. Myelodysplastic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 172.