Myelodysplastic Syndromes Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are a group of hematologic malignancies in which mutations prevent the bone marrow from properly making blood stem cells that form healthy blood cells.
What is MDS? Global Incidence
Three types of blood cells are needed for di erent functions in the body. All three are a ected by MDS:
Approximately 87,000 new cases of In healthy people, bone MDS are diagnosed every year marrow is responsible for making blood stem cells, which eventually form into healthy blood cells. Low blood cell counts, known as Red blood cells (RBCs) White blood cells Platelets cytopenias, are known as a work to bring oxygen (WBCs) help the help the blood Median age at diagnosis: defining feature of MDS. from the lungs to the body fight off clot after an injury approximately 70 years old rest of the body infections
Symptoms Overall incidence of MDS is slightly higher in males than in females
Many symptoms of MDS can be life-threatening: However, the incidence of MDS is considered to be underestimated due to lack of reporting and under-diagnosis
Prognosis Anemia Neutropenia Thrombocytopenia (low RBC count) can cause (low WBC count) can cause (low platelet cell count) can fatigue, weakness and recurring infections, fevers cause easy bruising, bleeding shortness of breath and sore mouth from the nose and mouth and a rash of small red dots on For the most severe forms of MDS: the skin ~5 months Due to this lack of mature RBCs, many patients with MDS experience severe chronic anemia, eventually requiring frequent red blood cell transfusions For lower risk MDS: Risk Factors ~6 years
Older Prior cancer Family History of Exposure to high dose age treatment history smoking radiation or workplace benzene Treatment >30% Treatment options depend on the needs of the individual patient. Some treatment options include:
Supportive care such as For >30% of patients with MDS, their disease blood transfusions and Chemotherapy Stem cell may progress to a deadly blood cancer called erythropoiesis-stimulating transplant agent (ESA) therapy Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
It is important for people with MDS to understand the symptoms of their disease and to talk to a healthcare professional about appropriate treatment options. © 2020 Bristol Myers Squibb