Myelodysplastic syndrome

Description

The bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells. The stem cells can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body, the white blood cells that fight infections, and the platelets that help with blood clotting.

If you have myelodysplastic syndrome, the stem cells do not mature into healthy blood cells. Many of them die in the bone marrow. This means that you do not have enough healthy cells, which can lead to infection, anemia, or easy bleeding.

Signs and Symptoms

Myelodysplastic syndromes often do not cause early symptoms and are sometimes found during a routine blood test. Common symptoms are:

1. Shortness of breath

2. Weakness or feeling tired

3. Skin that is paler than usual

4. Easy bruising or bleeding

5. Pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding

6. Fever or frequent infections

Causes and Risk Factors

Myelodysplastic syndromes are rare. People at higher risk are over 60 years, have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or have been exposed to certain chemicals.

Treatment

Treatment includes:

1. Transfusions

2. Drug therapy

3. Chemotherapy

4. Blood or bone marrow stem cell transplants

NIH: National Cancer Institute

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