Blood Disorders » Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Myelodysplastic syndromes are usually diagnosed in a number of common ways. A full blood count and detailed examination of the blood is traditionally the first method of diagnosis. Using this method, most cases of MDS can be discovered. Another test is a bone marrow biopsy. This test is more extensive, though usually more expensive and it can also be painful for the patient. Chromosomal studies can also indicate a predisposition to Myelodysplastic syndromes and can allow for further treatment to progress.
Cases of myelodysplastic syndromes are often diagnosed late in life, with the average age of a positive occurrence at about sixty-five years. Previous exposure to radiation may increase one’s susceptibility to MDS. Occupations in which one is constantly exposed to higher radiation levels have proven to be more dangerous, as well as occupations in which workers are exposed to hydrocarbons. Overall, it is believed that more males experience MDS than females, but accurate statistics are difficult to come by. It is estimated that there are between ten and twenty thousand new cases each year in the United States alone, but as symptoms can mask themselves and there is no mandated tracking system, it is difficult to say for sure.
Treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes are many and are constantly changing. The first order of business is to treat the symptoms and improve the patient’s overall condition. After this, it is necessary to attack the disease at its source. This is done in a number of ways. One is to use blood transfusions to increase the platelet count in the bloodstream and bone marrow. Though, this can be a temporary fix as well, as transfused platelet life is only a few days. Care must also be taken to prevent infection. Antifungal treatments are usually administered along with the transfusions. If the myelodysplastic syndromes are not too damaging because they are at an early stage, it may be possible to treat them with chemotherapy. Usually, patients prefer this method as it requires no hospitalization and can be done with office visits. For battling more advanced and volatile MDS, experimental clinical trials have proven to be a step in the right direction.