What is myelodysplastic syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside the bones where blood cells are made.
In MDS, the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough healthy blood cells, which can lead to a range of symptoms and complications. The most common symptoms of MDS are fatigue, shortness of breath, and a higher risk of infections due to a low white blood cell count.
Other symptoms may include easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, and frequent infections. MDS is generally considered a rare condition, but it is more common in older adults and people who have been exposed to certain chemicals or radiation.
There are several different types of MDS, and treatment options can include medications, blood transfusions, and in some cases, a bone marrow transplant.
Different Types of MDS
There are several different types of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which are classified based on the specific blood cell types that are affected and the severity of the condition. Some common types of MDS include:
- Refractory anemia (RA): This type of MDS is characterized by a low red blood cell count (anemia), which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
- Refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS): This type of MDS is similar to RA, but it also includes the presence of abnormal cells called ringed sideroblasts in the bone marrow.
- Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB): This type of MDS is more advanced than RA and RARS, and is characterized by a higher number of immature blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow.
- Refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-t): This is the most advanced type of MDS, and it is characterized by a very high number of blasts in the bone marrow, as well as the presence of certain genetic abnormalities.
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of the different types of MDS, and there are many other subtypes that can be classified based on specific characteristics of the condition.