Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
- How common is this condition?
- Characteristics and symptoms
- What are the features and symptoms of myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
- 1. MDS with no known cause
- 2. MDS due to chemicals and radiation
- Triggers
- What puts someone at risk for MDS?
- Diagnosis
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- Treatment
- What are the treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)?
- 1. Low intensity treatment
- 2. High intensity treatment
- What are the lifestyle changes that should be made when having myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
Definition
What is myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
Myelodysplasia syndrome, or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a disorder caused by inadequate or dysfunctional blood cells. This condition is also known as praleukemia.
Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS) occurs when the bone marrow is damaged. The result of this condition is usually a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets (thrombocytes) in the body.
Quoted from the American Cancer Society, MDS is a group of conditions that lead to low numbers of one or several types of blood cells. Myelodysplastic syndrome considered a type of cancer.
Myelodiplasia syndrome (MDS) is a disease that can range from mild to serious. The conditions vary from person to person, depending on the type you have.
How common is this condition?
MDS is a rare condition and generally affects more men than women. Myelodysplastic syndrome can occur in patients of any age, especially most people aged 65 years or older.
Praleukemia can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Characteristics and symptoms
What are the features and symptoms of myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
Myelodysplasia syndrome rarely causes signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. However, there are some symptoms of MDS that may occur, namely:
- Fatigue
- Hard to breathe
- Pale due to anemia
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Red spots under the skin due to bleeding
- Frequent infections
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
See a doctor immediately if you are concerned about your health condition. Do not delay contacting your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
- Hard to breathe
- Weakness or feeling tired
- Skin paler than usual
- Petechiae (patches under the skin caused by bleeding)
If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
Cause
What causes myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
Myelodysplasia syndrome occurs due to disturbed and uncontrolled production of blood cells. Sufferers have immature and defective blood cells. As a result, blood cells will die immediately in the bone marrow or shortly after entering the bloodstream.
Over time, this results in a greater number of immature and defective blood cells than healthy ones. This condition causes health problems, such as anemia, infection, and excessive bleeding.
Doctors classify MDS into two categories based on their causes, namely:
1. MDS with no known cause
This condition is called de novo myelodysplastic syndrome, that is, when the doctor does not know the cause. This condition is usually easier to treat than MDS, whose cause is known.
2. MDS due to chemicals and radiation
Myelodysplasia syndrome can occur in response to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, or exposure to chemicals. This condition is called secondary MDS and is often more difficult to treat.
Triggers
What puts someone at risk for MDS?
There are several factors that can put a person at a higher risk of developing this condition. Some of the risk factors for MDS are:
- Elderly. Most people with this condition are elderly over 60 years.
- Treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. Myelodysplastic syndrome can occur if you have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy, both of which are commonly used to treat cancer.
- Exposure to chemicals, including cigarette smoke, pesticides and industrial chemicals, such as benzene.
- Exposure to heavy metals, like lead and mercury.
Diagnosis
How is this condition diagnosed?
To find out if you have myelodysplasia syndrome (praleukemia), your doctor will ask about your symptoms or a history of other diseases.
Other steps your doctor may take to diagnose MDS are:
- Perform a physical exam to see other possible symptoms of your symptoms
- Take a blood sample to count the various types of cells in the blood
- Take a bone marrow sample for analysis. The doctor will insert a special needle into the hip or sternum to take a sample
- Perform genetic analysis on cells from the bone marrow
Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are the treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)?
Apart from transplants stem cells (stem cell transplant), there is no proven drug to treat myelodysplasia syndrome.
So far, stem cell treatment is still the only way to cure MDS. In this procedure, the doctor will perform a series of chemotherapy or radiation sessions to destroy cells in the bone marrow.
Later, you will get stem cells from donors. Stem cells can be taken from the bone marrow or blood. These cells then begin to form new blood cells in the body.
Apart from a bone marrow transplant, there are several treatment options that can be used to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and help improve your quality of life.
Some of the treatment options for MDS are:
1. Low intensity treatment
- Chemotherapy drugs. Medicines are also used to treat leukemia,
- Immunosuppressive therapy. This treatment aims to stop the immune system from attacking the bone marrow. This therapy can help increase the blood count again.
- Blood transfusion. This procedure is common, safe, and can help some people with low blood counts.
- Iron sailor. You can have too much iron in your blood if you have too many transfusions. This therapy can reduce the amount of minerals you have.
- Hormone therapy. This artificial hormone "pushes" your bone marrow to produce more blood cells.
2. High intensity treatment
You may also need high-intensity treatment. This high-intensity MDS treatment is combination chemotherapy. In this procedure, you may get several types of chemotherapy.
What are the lifestyle changes that should be made when having myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS)?
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, here are daily habits that you need to do if you have MDS:
- Wash your hands regularly. Reduce the risk of infection by washing your hands frequently.
- Keep food clean. Cook all meat and fish until cooked. Avoid fruits and vegetables that you cannot peel, such as lettuce, and wash all products before peeling. Make sure you avoid raw foods.
- Avoid people who are sick. MDS can attack the immune system. That's why try to avoid close contact with anyone who is sick, including family members and colleagues so you don't catch it.
