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According to Doc. Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) is a malignant blood disease or disorder that is often referred to as bone marrow failure. The etymology of MDS is derived from myelo (bone marrow) and dysplastic (abnormally or strangely shaped). Basically, it means that there is an abnormality in the bone marrow.
The problem with MDS is that the bone marrow, where the blood cells are made, is not functioning properly. Thus, instead of producing a large amount of RBC’s Red Blood Cells), WBCs (White Blood Cells), and platelets, a lesser amount of these are produced and may not normally function.
What happens if you have MDS?
Generally, patients diagnosed with MDS may experience or is at risk of developing:
Anemia
Anemia is a medical condition wherein there is a deficiency in healthy red blood cells that transport oxygen to a person’s body tissues. Such that, low levels of hemoglobin may cause weakness, fatigue, pale or yellowish skin, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and chest pains.
Thrombocytopenia
This is a condition that is characterized by a low blood platelet (thrombocyte) count. A platelet’s primary function is to stop bleeding since it is responsible for the formation of blood clots. It usually occurs as a result of a bone marrow disorder such as MDS or complications with the immune system.
Leukopenia
Basically, leukopenia is a shortage of white blood cells (leukocytes) in your blood. Common symptoms involve red, swollen, or painful parts of the body; sore throat, painful urination, mouth sores or white patches in your mouth; shortness of breath, cough, chills, and sweating.
Hypercellular marrow
An increase in the production of one or more cell lineages or an increase in the number of neoplastic cells which may lead to acute leukemia, multiple myeloma, histiocytic sarcoma, etc.)
AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia)
Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. The myeloblasts, which are immature white blood cells, become abnormal and do not transition into healthy white blood cells in the context of the AML. Thus, these leukemia cells can build up in the bone marrow and leave less room for healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to form.
In relation to MDS, the risk is dependent on the blast (immature cells) of the bone marrow and the genetics of the disease. However, this type of cancer should be treated instantly since it can easily get worse.
Different Types of MDS
1. Refractory anemia (RA)
Refractory anemia is a type of MDS that takes place when there are insufficient red blood cells. Moreover, It is characterized by anemia, mono-lineage dysplasia, dyserythropoiesis, and a low percentage of blasts in the bone marrow and peripheral blood.
2. Refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS)
This is considered to be an inactive or indolent type of MDS. RARS involves a depleted number of red blood cell counts and excessive iron in the red blood cells. It is characterized by bone marrow erythrodysplasia, ring sideroblasts (iron-loaded mitochondria), and anemia.
3. Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)
In RAEB, there are too many blasts (up to 19 percent of the cells in the marrow) and not enough red blood cells. It is characterized by increased myeloblasts and multilineage dysplasia in the bone marrow and/or peripheral blood. This type usually affects the age group of 50 years old and above and constitutes 30-40% MDS Cases.
4. Refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD)
In this condition, at least two types of blood cell (red or white blood cell, and platelet) count are low. Specifically, an individual with RCMD has less than 15% ringed sideroblasts and 5% blasts in the bone marrow.
5. Refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia and ringed sideroblasts (RCMD-RS)
This type of MDS is characterized by one or more cytopenia (reduction of mature blood cells), dysplasia (abnormal development of cells) in two or more myeloid cell lines, less than 5% blasts in the bone marrow, and less than 1% blasts in peripheral blood.
6. Myelodysplastic syndrome, unclassified (MDS-U)
This type of MSD (myelodysplastic syndrome) can be identified when there is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets, yet does not have the specific signs of the other MDS subcategories.
7. MDS associated with isolated del (5q)
This type of MDS causes a shortage of red blood cells. Moreover, less than five percent of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts. Specifically, it is characterized by hematopoiesis (ineffective production of all of the cellular components of blood and blood plasma) and cytopenia (reduction in the number of mature blood cells).
On the bright side, the FDA has approved new therapy for MDS that is consumable at home. Medicines such as Inqovi (decitabine and cedazuridine) tablets are now available for the treatment of adult patients with MDS.
If you are concerned with your health and you share the same symptoms stated above, talk to your doctor so you can be diagnosed or find MDS clinical trials.