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MediFocus Guides Help Answer Key Questions about Myelodysplastic Syndrome:
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What are the standard treatments for Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
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What are your treatment options?
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Are there any promising new and effective treatments on the horizon?
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Where can you find the doctors, hospitals, and medical centers with specialized interest and expertise in Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
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Which organizations and support groups can help you cope more effectively with Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
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Medifocus Guidebook:
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Updated: July 14, 2008
- Comprehensive overview of
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Explore your treatment options
- Learn about new developments
- Read medical journal abstracts
- Find doctors, hospitals, research centers
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Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of myeloid stem cell disorders that gradually affect the ability of a person's bone marrow to produce normal cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Patients with MDS have a risk of the disease progressing to acute myelogenous leukemia.
The risk of MDS increases with age as the disease most commonly affects people between the ages of 58 to 75. The incidence of MDS in children is only about 5% of all pediatric hematologic malignancies.
The exact cause of MDS is not currently known. It is hypothesized that a genetic progression - or evolution- occurs in patients with MDS. The first step (called initiation) involves an "attack" on hematopoietic stem cells which are actively dividing cells that produce blood cells. The second step (called tumor promotion or clonal expansion) is characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis (blood cell production) and typically a high rate of cell death. The third step (called malignant transformation) is characterized by the increase in leukemia blast cells and the progression of AML.
The treatment options for MDS are based upon the age of the patient as well as clinical test results and the patient's prognosis as determined by the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). In general, there are three main treatment choices available:
1. Supportive treatment only to correct conditions such as anemia and
neutropenia (reduced numbers of white blood cells in the circulation)
2. Promote normal hematopoiesis (blood cell production) and improve
myelodysplastic hematopoiesis.
3. Eradicate the underlying myelodysplastic clone to restore normal
hematopoiesis.
The MediFocus Guidebook on Myelodysplastic Syndrome contains information that is vital to anyone who has been diagnosed with this condition.
You will learn about the causes, risk factors, common signs and symptoms, medical tests that are used to establish the diagnosis, and standard treatments. You will also learn about the latest clinical advances in the management of Myelodysplastic Syndrome as well as about the newest treatment options that are available.
The MediFocus Guidebook on Myelodysplastic Syndrome will also inform you about important new, exciting research in the area of Myelodysplastic Syndrome. You will also learn about the doctors, hospitals, and medical centers that are at the leading edge in conducting clinical research about Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
Information about clinical trials, quality of life issues, a list of questions to ask your doctor, and a useful directory of organizations and support groups that can help patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome complete this valuable Guidebook.
You won't find this combination of information anywhere else. It is easily accessible right here. We invite you to preview the MediFocus Guidebook on Myelodysplastic Syndrome so that you can decide if this comprehensive, trustworthy information may help you or someone you care about who has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
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