Question 1

for myelodysplastic syndrome (mds) patients, how does genome sequencing help?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis: For certain patients, genomic sequencing can help establish a diagnosis of mds, especially those without large chromosomal abnormalities. In addition, sequencing can be used to help monitor for response to treatment. There are also limited data to suggest that certain mutations can be useful in prognosis. This is an emerging field of medicine and hopefully your oncologist can help guide you.

Question 2

my dad (85) has myelodysplastic syndrome (mds),  hgb recently fell to 9 and red cell count near critical.   getting transfusion and procrit (epoetin alfa).  outlook?

Accepted Answer

MDS not curable: First transfusion?  Or becoming transfusion dependent.
Are newer possibilities to help control transfusion requirement.
Different subtypes of mds.  Would need more specifics.

Question 3

what are the symptoms of myelodysplastic syndromes (mds)?

Accepted Answer

It varies: There may be none or the patient may feel tired from anemia, show signs of bruising from low platelets or infections from low white blood counts.

Question 4

what is myelodysplastic syndromes (mds)?

Accepted Answer

Definition: The myelodysplastic syndromes (mds) comprise a heterogeneous group of malignant stem cell disorders characterized by dysplastic and ineffective blood cell production and a variable risk of transformation to acute leukemia.

Question 5

what are effective treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes (mds)?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Treatment of mds will vary according to the clinical situation and a variety of findings on bone marrow such as the percentage of blasts, cytogenetic abnormalities and need for transfusions.

Question 6

what are the symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of Myelodysplastic syndrome include::   Fatigue, Autoimmune conditions, Bacterial infections, Enlarged liver, Enlarged lymph nodes, Exercise intolerance, Large spleen, Pale skin, Petechiae, Non blanching red or purple spots.

Question 7

what happens to the marrow in myelodysplastic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Affects production: Myelo=blood.  Dysplasia=abnormal
so what happens is the blood is not getting made normally because the blood cells have what is referred to as dyspoiesis.  So people can present with low red count, low white count and low platelet count.  Treatment either involves transfusions, growth factors or chemotherapy.  Sometimes bone marrow transplant is utilized.

Question 8

what are the marrow features in myelodysplastic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Myelodysplasia: The typical bone marrow features seen in myelodysplastic syndrome can include a hypercellular marrow (the marrow is too full of cells although in some cases the bone marrow can be more empty (hypocellular).  There is typically disorder growth of cells so that they do not mature normally (dypsoiesis).  Also, many times the chromosomes (cytogenetics) of the bone marrow cells will be abnormal.

Question 9

with myelodysplastic syndrome why does the body stop producing healthy blood?

Accepted Answer

Stem cell problem: Myelodysplastic syndrome is a problem with the bone marrow forming or blood stem cells where the bone marrow does not function normally. There is a disordered production and maturation of the different types of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) which leads to a decrease in the amount of one or more of these cell types circulating in the blood.

Question 10

what is the treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy : There are some chemotherapy drugs that can be used for myelodysplastic syndrome(mds).  Growth factors and transfusions can be used in some cases.  Also, bone marrow or stem cell transplants can be used in some situations.

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Doctor answers about:

Myelodysplastic syndrome mds

A member asked:

For myelodysplastic syndrome (mds) patients, how does genome sequencing help?

A member asked:

My dad (85) has myelodysplastic syndrome (mds), hgb recently fell to 9 and red cell count near critical. getting transfusion and procrit (epoetin alfa). outlook?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of myelodysplastic syndromes (mds)?

A member asked:

What is myelodysplastic syndromes (mds)?

A member asked:

What are effective treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes (mds)?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome?

A member asked:

What happens to the marrow in myelodysplastic syndrome?

A member asked:

What are the marrow features in myelodysplastic syndrome?

A member asked:

With myelodysplastic syndrome why does the body stop producing healthy blood?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome?

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