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Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
(Myelodysplasia, Preleukemia, Smoldering Leukemia, Subacute Leukemia)
Pronounced: My-e-lo-dys-plas-tic syn-dromes

Definition
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases that involve dysfunction of the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the tissue found within the bones; its task is to create mature blood cells from stem cells. In all forms of MDS, this normal cell-creation process is disrupted by the overproduction of clones of a single stem cell. This leads to a decrease in production of normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
There are five types of MDS. Some forms are more serious than others; all of them are serious enough to require a physician’s care. Thirty percent of people with MDS develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells and their parent cells. Many blood disease experts consider MDS to be a type of cancer.
Location of Active Bone Marrow in an Adult
Copyright © 2005 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com/
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Causes
The cause of MDS is unknown, but research shows that certain risk factors are associated with the disease.
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Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The following factors are associated with a higher risk for developing MDS:
Family members with MDS or Fanconi anemia (Fanconi anemia is a rare type of anemia )
Exposure to large amounts of radiation
Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene
Exposure to pesticides
Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy treatment for cancer
Smoking
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Symptoms
Typically, there are no symptoms in the early stages of MDS. Later stage symptoms may vary from person to person, depending on how serious the disease is. Later stage symptoms may include:
Signs of anemia due to underproduction or red blood cells include:
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Pale skin
Feeling weak and tired
Congestive heart failure (in severe cases)
Neutropenia occurs when there are inadequate levels of white blood cells. White blood cells fight infection. Signs of this condition include:
Fever
Cough
Frequent, unusual, or especially serious infections
Thrombocytopenia occurs when there are inadequate levels of platelets in the blood. Platelets stop bleeding by clotting the blood. Signs of thrombocytopenia include:
Bleeding easily, especially from the nose and gums
Bruising easily
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Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The symptoms for MDS can indicate many other conditions. Doctors have to rule out other conditions before diagnosing MDS.
Tests may include the following:
Blood test to check your red and white blood cell counts and platelet counts and to check how the blood cells look.
Bone marrow biopsy to check for MDS. A bone marrow biopsy is the removal of a sample of bone marrow for testing.
Your doctor may also order other tests to rule out other conditions.
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Treatment
Treatment for MDS depends on your age, other medical conditions, and how serious the disease is. Treatment also depends on how far along the disease has progressed to AML. Often, treatment includes relieving the symptoms of MDS. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. You may be referred to a hematologist and an oncologist. A hematologist specializes in blood diseases. An oncologist specializes in cancer. Treatment options include:
Blood Transfusion
If you have a low red blood cell, white blood cell, or platelet count, you may receive a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion is a treatment that involves receiving blood products (red cells, white cells, platelets, clotting factors, plasma, or whole blood) through a vein. The blood components may come from an unrelated donor, from a related donor, or may have been banked in advance by the recipient.
Antibiotics
If you have a low white blood cell count, you may receive antibiotics to fight infection.
Growth Factors
Growth factors help the bone marrow produce blood cells. The following growth factors may be used to treat MDS:
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a growth factor that helps the bone marrow produce red blood cells.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF) are growth factors that help the bone marrow produce white blood cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given in many forms including: pill, injection, or via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells.
Stem Cell Transplant
Many doctors will only perform a stem cell transplant on a patient that is age 50 or younger. A stem cell transplant is a procedure in which healthy stem cells from a donor’s blood are injected into a recipient's vein.

Bone Marrow Transplant
Many doctors will only perform a bone marrow transplant on a patient that is age 50 or younger. A bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which healthy stem cells from a donor's bone marrow are injected into a recipient's vein.
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Prevention
To help reduce your chances of getting MDS, take the following steps:
Avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals such as benzene
Don’t smoke or if you do smoke, quit
Reduce your risk for developing cancer:
Eat a balanced, healthful diet.
Stay active.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid environmental and occupational risks.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/
Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation
http://www.mds-foundation.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplasia Association of Canada
http://www.aamac.ca/
Neutropenia Support Association
http://www.neutropenia.ca/
References:
Ableoff M, ed. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2005.
Ableoff M, ed. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2004.
Cancer Prevention page. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_1.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed September 28, 2005.
Frequently asked questions about MDS page. The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation website. Available at: http://www.mds-foundation.org/pdf/CEL411%20Factsht%20v8.pdf. Accessed September 14, 2005.
Goldman L, ed. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2004.
Hoffman R, Benz E, Shattil S, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2005.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Dynamed website. Available at: http://www.dynamicmedical.com/dynamed.nsf?opendatabase. Accessed September 13, 2005.
Myelodysplastic syndromes: a review for patients, families, friends, and healthcare professionals. Patient information page. The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation website. Available at: http://www.mds-foundation.org/patientinfo.htm. Accessed September 14, 2005.
Myelodysplastic syndromes facts & statistics page. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website. Available at: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=55445. Accessed September 22, 2005.
Myelodysplastic syndromes page. National Marrow Donor Program website. Available at: http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/myelodysplastic_syndromes.html. Accessed September 22, 2005.
Myelodysplastic syndromes: treatment page. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/myelodysplastic. Accessed: September 22, 2005.
Overview: myelodysplastic syndrome page. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1x_What_Are_Myelodysplastic_Syndromes_65.asp?rnav=cri. Accessed September 22, 2005.
Understanding myelodysplastic syndromes: a patient handbook. Patient information page. The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation website. Available at: http://www.mds-foundation.org/patientinfo.htm. Accessed September 14, 2005.
Last reviewed January 2008 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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2008 EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved.