MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES

Overview

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders characterised by dysfunctional bone marrow, leading to insufficient production of healthy blood cells. This results in anaemia, increased infection risk, and bleeding problems. MDS can progress to acute leukaemia and requires medical management, including blood transfusions and sometimes stem cell transplantation. In the article, you’ll learn about the types, causes, symptoms and treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes.

Types of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

A few types of myelodysplastic syndromes are categorised by the WHO or the World Health Organization based on their blood cell types as the syndrome varies due to the type of blood cells involved, such as platelets, white cells and red cells.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes with Excess Blast: If any blood cell types, be it red, white, or platelets, are not enough in number and have an abnormal appearance under a microscope, that disorder is called Myelodysplastic syndrome with the excess blast. Blasts are the immature blood cells in the blood and bone marrow.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes with BlastMyelodysplastic Syndromes with Blast

Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Single-lineage Dysplasia: If one of the red cells, white cells, or platelets turns out to be abnormal or low in number when inspected under a microscope, then it’s called myelodysplastic syndrome with single-lineage dysplasia.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Isolated del(5q) Chromosomes: People whose red cells are low in number and have specific mutations in their DNA come under Myelodysplastic syndrome with isolated del(5q) chromosomes subtype.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Ring Sideroblasts: When any one cell type or multiple cell type is low in number and if the red blood cells have excess iron that forms a ring-type shape in the bone marrow, then it comes under Myelodysplastic syndrome with ring sideroblasts subtype.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Copper ringMyelodysplastic Syndrome with Copper ring

Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Multilineage Dysplasia: This subtype is not complicated but only has two or three abnormal blood cell types. The blood cell levels will be low, and you can find few to no blasts (immature cells) in the blood. Also, one may notice a small number of immature cells in the bone marrow.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (Unclassifiable): One can find one or a few types of mature blood cells in this subtype, but the cells might look abnormal when put under the microscope. In some cases, there are no apparent changes in the cells, but the DNA seems to have changed. In this case, the subtype comes under myelodysplastic syndromes.

Causes and Risk Factors of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

The bone marrow of a healthy person will make new and immature blood cells, which will mature later on. When something hinders the process of this maturation of the cells, that’s when the myelodysplastic syndrome happens. As time passes, people who have this condition will get worse as there will be more defective and immature cells than the normal healthy ones.

It can also lead to problems such as anaemia, where one has fewer healthy cells, making them tired. Some infections, called leukopenia, can occur when one has fewer white blood cells. Thrombocytopenia can also happen where bleeding will occur as there are not enough blood-clotting platelets.

Symptoms of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

A person may not initially experience symptoms or signs. Still, later down the road, the following symptoms might be experienced —

Infections due to Leukopenia (low levels of white blood cells)

Out of breath or shortness of breath

Petechiae – red spots that are the size of pinpoints usually found under the skin.

PetechiaePetechiae

Fatigue

Thrombocytopenia- Bleeding and bruising due to low counts of platelets.

Getting pale in colour due to anaemia caused by low counts of red blood cells.

Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

One can manage these diseases by preventing the disease from spreading quickly, lessening the symptoms, and blocking complications. The common management processes include medications that help create more blood cells and transfusions.

There are three known treatments for myelodysplastic —

Blood transfusion

Medication

Bone marrow transplant

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

Other than these treatment options, one can make lifestyle changes to manage their particular myelodysplastic syndromes—proper diet and good hygiene.

In general, people who have myelodysplastic syndrome should avoid other people who are ill. There are some risk factors, such as increased chances of cancer, recurrent infection, anaemia and unusual bleeding involved with people affected by myelodysplastic syndrome.

FAQs

Q. What are Myelodysplastic syndromes?

A. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders characterised by dysfunctional bone marrow, leading to insufficient production of healthy blood cells.

Q. What are the main causes of myelodysplastic syndrome?

A. There are no known causes for most myelodysplastic syndromes, but other causes include radiation, chemotherapy or other cancer treatment exposures. Exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene can also be a cause of myelodysplastic syndrome.

Q. What is the first line of treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome?

A. Hypomethylating agents are the first-line treatment for people with a higher risk of MDS.

Q. Can you fully recover from myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS?

A. No, full recovery from MDS is not possible as it is very hard to cure.

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