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| Myelodysplastic Syndromes |
Myelodysplastic
syndromes (MDS) are diseases of the blood cells. Some myelodysplastic syndromes have only
a mild to moderate impact on a person's life and are not progressive. Myelodysplastic
leukemia <index.html>, however, is a slowly developing blood cell-related cancer
that is usually terminal. MDS occurs when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow
produce cells that do not mature properly, leading to low counts of healthy red blood
cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Myelodysplastic syndromes may be
manifest in different degrees of severity, from mild anemia to acute myelogenous leukemia
MDS most often affects people over the age of fifty.
What is
aplastic anemia?
Aplastic anemia
occurs when the bone marrow's blood-forming cells stop producing new blood cells. The
decrease in red blood cell production means that too few red blood cells are present in
the blood stream-a condition known as anemia. Red blood cells are responsible for
delivering oxygen to the body's tissues, so severe anemia can be very serious. In
addition, aplastic anemia results in lowered immune system defense due to a decrease in
the number of white blood cells and a tendency for excessive bleeding because of the
lowered number of platelets.
The main difference between MDS and aplastic anemia is that in MDS, the bone marrow
produces abnormal or immature blood cells that do not function properly, whereas in
aplastic anemia the marrow stops producing new blood cells entirely. In addition, MDS is
more common among older people, while aplastic anemia often affects the young.
What is
secondary aplastic anemia?
Secondary
aplastic anemia is the name given to aplastic anemia when the damage to the bone marrow is
caused by:
· Chemotherapy
· Radiation
· Cancer medications
· Pregnancy
· Exposure to chemicals such as benzene <http://www.benzenefyi.com/> - if you have
transported benzene, gasoline, or worked in the petrolium or petro-chemical industries,
click here <http://www.benzeneattorneys.com> to learn your legal rights
What are the
symptoms of myelodysplastic syndromes?
The symptoms of
anemia and MDS are often similar. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath,
general weakness, and pale skin. These symptoms may also indicate myelogenous leukemia,
other symptoms of which include weight loss, mild depression, and loss of appetite.
Because the symptoms associated with aplastic anemia and MDS may also be indicative of
other health problems, only an oncologist or other qualified doctor can make an accurate
diagnosis.
What are the
causes of myelodysplastic syndromes?
The use of
DNA-damaging drugs, exposure to radiation, and contact with benzene are all possible
causes of MDS, aplastic anemia, and acute myelogenous leukemia. DNA-damaging drugs include
those used to treat breast, ovarian, or other types of cancer. Radiation exposure may
occur during treatment for lymphoma. The people most likely to come into contact with
benzene are those who work in industrial settings. Although benzene is more strictly
regulated now than before its cancer-causing properties were known, exposure to benzene
still accounts for some new cases of MDS, aplastic anemia, and leukemia.
What are the
treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes?
Treatments for
myelodysplastic syndromes vary according to the severity of a person's MDS. People with
mild cases may not require treatment. Those with low blood cell counts may be helped by
medication. Chemotherapy may be used in serious cases. In the rare case that the patient
is under age fifty, an aggressive course of treatment using chemotherapy, radiation, and
stem cell transplantation may be considered.
The most
successful treatment for aplastic anemia is bone marrow transplantation. This procedure is
most likely to be effective when a related donor with marrow similar to the patient's
(matched marrow) is available. Unrelated or unmatched donors succeed in some cases as
well. Immunosuppressive drug therapy may also be helpful, but increases the patient's risk
of developing leukemia later on. Other types of treatments, such as blood transfusions,
peripheral stem cell transplants, and clinical trials, may also be available.
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