Myelodysplastic syndrome is actually a group of disorders that gives negative effect to the bone marrow. This is not a type of cancer but some people think so because about half of MDS cases can develop into cancer. The following paragraphs discuss important information and facts about myelodysplastic syndrome.
The bone marrow is responsible for the production of millions of new and healthy blood cells everyday. This task is very important so that a balance between the old and the new blood cells in the bloodstream. With myelodysplastic syndrome, the bone marrow becomes erratic and unreliable. Stem cells (or blast cells) do not mature and develop properly into any of the three blood cells"white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Most blood cells die even before and right after leaving the bone marrow.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome Symptoms
During the early stages, MDS seldom shows signs of presence. When the number of normal blood cells circulating in the body is becoming less and critically low, the disease will start revealing symptoms like: infections, bleeding, bruising, anemia, and fatigue. Unusual paleness is often caused by lack of red blood cells. Uncontrolled bleeding will be due to absence of platelets. Repetitive attacks of infection are linked to low counts of white blood cells.
How Secondary MDS Develops
MDS is rarely found in childhood and young adults. Most patients are over the age of 50; with more men than women. In younger patients, the number is even.
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy are known to lead to secondary MDS. High doses of chemo drugs are toxin to the bone marrow. Environmental toxins are linked to MDS cases with unidentified causes.
Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals can cause the disease. Benzene is an industrial chemical widely-used in the production of gasoline, furniture polish, and rubber plastics. Cigarette smoke is a source of benzene.
What are the Treatment Methods for MDS?
The bone marrow transplant is the only treatment method that has shown success in providing permanent cure in about 20 to 40 percent of all MDS cases. The candidate patient must not be over the age of 60 and must also be in a very good state of health.
Supportive care may include: blood transfusions and drug therapies. Other forms of treatment are: chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and stem cell transplants.
The bone marrow is responsible for the production of millions of new and healthy blood cells everyday. This task is very important so that a balance between the old and the new blood cells in the bloodstream. With myelodysplastic syndrome, the bone marrow becomes erratic and unreliable. Stem cells (or blast cells) do not mature and develop properly into any of the three blood cells"white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Most blood cells die even before and right after leaving the bone marrow.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome Symptoms
During the early stages, MDS seldom shows signs of presence. When the number of normal blood cells circulating in the body is becoming less and critically low, the disease will start revealing symptoms like: infections, bleeding, bruising, anemia, and fatigue. Unusual paleness is often caused by lack of red blood cells. Uncontrolled bleeding will be due to absence of platelets. Repetitive attacks of infection are linked to low counts of white blood cells.
How Secondary MDS Develops
MDS is rarely found in childhood and young adults. Most patients are over the age of 50; with more men than women. In younger patients, the number is even.
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy are known to lead to secondary MDS. High doses of chemo drugs are toxin to the bone marrow. Environmental toxins are linked to MDS cases with unidentified causes.
Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals can cause the disease. Benzene is an industrial chemical widely-used in the production of gasoline, furniture polish, and rubber plastics. Cigarette smoke is a source of benzene.
What are the Treatment Methods for MDS?
The bone marrow transplant is the only treatment method that has shown success in providing permanent cure in about 20 to 40 percent of all MDS cases. The candidate patient must not be over the age of 60 and must also be in a very good state of health.
Supportive care may include: blood transfusions and drug therapies. Other forms of treatment are: chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and stem cell transplants.
About the Author:
When you want information on myelodysplastic syndrome and benzene you can discover articles on the website www.Burke-Eisner.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment