Patient education: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (The Basics)

What are myelodysplastic syndromes? — 

Myelodysplastic syndromes, or "MDS," are a group of blood cancers. MDS are sometimes called "myelodysplastic neoplasms."

Blood is made up of different types of cells. These cells are made in the center of bones, in a part called the bone marrow. When people have MDS, their bone marrow does not work normally. It makes abnormal blood cells and does not make enough normal blood cells. This can cause symptoms.

What are the symptoms of MDS? — 

Some people have no symptoms. They might find out that they have MDS after they have blood tests for another reason.

Other people do have symptoms. They might:

●Feel weak, tired, or dizzy

●Have trouble thinking clearly

●Have trouble breathing

●Bruise or bleed more easily than usual

●Get infections more easily or more often than usual

Is there a test for MDS? — 

Yes. To test for MDS, your doctor or nurse can do:

●Blood tests

●Bone marrow biopsy – The doctor removes a small sample of bone marrow with a needle. Then, another doctor looks at the cells under a microscope to see if abnormal cells are present.

There are different types of MDS. Your doctor will use your test results to figure out which type you have.

How are MDS treated? — 

The right treatment for you mostly depends on:

●The type of MDS you have

●Your symptoms

●Your overall health

Most treatments do not cure MDS. But treatments can improve symptoms and help you feel better.

Doctors usually treat MDS with 1 or more of the following:

●Blood transfusions – This is when you get blood that was given (donated) by another person.

●Medicines – Doctors can use different types of medicines to treat MDS. The medicines work in different ways. Some help the bone marrow make more blood cells. Other affect the body's infection-fighting system.

●Chemotherapy – These are medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. They can be used to target the abnormal cells found in MDS.

●Bone marrow transplant (also called "stem cell transplant") – This uses chemotherapy to kill the abnormal cells in your bone marrow. These dead cells are then replaced with "donor" cells. The donor cells can come from different places. They usually come from people whose blood matches yours. Bone marrow transplant is the only treatment that can cure MDS.

Your doctor or nurse might also talk with you about being in a clinical trial. This is a research study that uses volunteers to test new treatments or new combinations of current treatments.

What else should I know? — 

Some people with MDS are more likely to get infections. To help avoid getting infections:

●Get the vaccines your doctor recommends. Vaccines can prevent serious or deadly infections. If you have a child, make sure that they get the recommended vaccines, too.

●Avoid being around people who are sick.

●Take care of your skin by keeping it clean and dry:

•Wash your hands frequently.

•Wear gloves when you use harsh cleaning chemicals or other products that could harm your skin.

•If you get a cut or scrape, wash it right away with soap and water. If it doesn't heal or gets worse, see your doctor or nurse.

●Take care of your gums and teeth:

•Brush your teeth twice a day.

•Floss your teeth every day.

•See your dentist for regular check-ups.

If you get an infection, get treatment for it right away.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if:

●Your symptoms get worse.

●You have signs of an infection, such as a fever, aches, or chills.

●You have a low body temperature (some people get this instead of a fever).

●You are sweating a lot or losing weight without trying.

●Your breathing or heartbeat is very fast.

●You have trouble breathing or pain when taking a deep breath.

●You have a cut, scrape, or ulcer that is red, swollen, warm, painful, or draining pus.

More on this topic

Patient education: Blood donation (giving blood) (The Basics)
Patient education: Allogeneic bone marrow transplant (The Basics)
Patient education: What are clinical trials? (The Basics)
Patient education: Coping with high drug prices (The Basics)

Patient education: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood donation and transfusion (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (bone marrow transplantation) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Coping with high prescription drug prices in the United States (Beyond the Basics)