Most often the cause of the changes to the bone marrow is unknown. This is called de novo MDS. In a small number of people, MDS might be linked to heavy exposure to some chemicals, such as certain solvents, or to radiation. MDS can also be caused by treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy for other diseases. This is called treatment-related MDS or secondary MDS. Treatment-related MDS is often more severe and difficult to treat than de novo MDS.
MDS Symptoms
The symptoms of MDS depend on how severe the disease is. Many people with MDS have no symptoms when they are diagnosed. Their disease is found through a routine blood test. If a person does have symptoms, they are caused by low numbers of blood cells:
- Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Low numbers can lead to anemia — feeling tired or weak, being short of breath and looking pale. Anemia is the most common symptom of MDS.
- White blood cells fight infection. Low numbers can lead to fever and frequent infections.
- Platelets control bleeding. Low numbers can lead to easy bleeding or bruising.
In severe MDS, infection or uncontrolled bleeding can be life-threatening.
Diagnosis
MDS is one of several diseases with these symptoms. Doctors look at samples of blood and bone marrow to diagnose MDS. They also look for changes in the chromosomes of bone marrow cells (cytogenetics).
MDS can be hard to diagnose. Careful study of blood and marrow samples is needed to tell MDS apart from other diseases with similar signs and symptoms, such as aplastic anemia. Blood and marrow samples are often tested several times over two or more months to find out whether the disease is stable or getting worse.
MDS is a group of diseases that have many differences. It is important to diagnose the type of MDS to make the best treatment choices. With some types of MDS, a person may live with few symptoms for years, while other types can be life-threatening within months. In addition, some types of MDS are more likely than others to develop into acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML that develops from MDS can be hard to treat.
MDS: A Rare Disease Of The Blood was originally published on blackdoctor.org
