Myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is another type of disease that starts in the bone marrow. In MDS, the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow are damaged, creating fewer red or white blood cells or platelets over time.

Myelodysplastic syndrome can sometimes lead to acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow cells. Other types of MDS are mild and easily managed.

Age and past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy may increase the risk of developing a myelodysplastic syndrome.

Treatment options

Blood and marrow transplantation
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This process delivers healthy blood or bone marrow (as stem cells) to replace unhealthy bone marrow. Before the transplant, intensive treatment will kill as many cancer cells as possible to set the stage for new bone marrow growth.

Cancer genetics program
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A specialty service that can help you discover if you are genetically predisposed to certain cancers.

Chemotherapy
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This well-known cancer treatment uses medicines taken intravenously or by mouth to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink tumors, or after to fight cancer cells that have potentially spread.

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