What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Myelodysplastic Syndromes?

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD
Chairman & Professor, Leukemia Department
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas
 

Any or all blood cell types may be affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The direct effects of MDS may include: 

  • Anemia and fatigue if red blood cells counts are low – this is the most common presentation 
  • Increased risk of infection if white blood cell counts are low 
  • Compromised ability to control bleeding if platelets counts are low 

Failure of the bone marrow to produce normal cells is a gradual process. As such, MDS is primarily a disease of the aging and most patients are over 65 years of age. Some patients may survive with MDS while approximately one-third will have their disease progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML that develops from MDS is a difficult disease to treat. 

 

This content was last modified on August 11, 2007 .
Latest Cancer News
Oncotype DX® Predicts Recurrence Risk in Node-negative and Node-positive Breast Cancer Treated with Tamoxifen or Anastrozole

March 10, 2010 — Researchers affiliated with the TransATAC Study have reported that the Oncotype DX® test predicts the risk of distant cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women with early, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer with both node-negative and node-positive disease treated with tamoxifen (Nolvadex®) or anastrozole (Arimidex®). These results were published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on March 8, 2010.

Recent Results of High-dose Proleukin® for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Reported

March 10, 2010 — Researchers involved in a U.S. multicenter trial (Cytokine Working Group) have reported that high-dose Proleukin® (aldesleukin, interleukin-2, IL-2) results in a higher response rate in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) than historically reported. The details of this study were presented at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, March 5-7, in San Francisco.

Cystoscopy Remains Best Method for Surveillance of Patients with Bladder Cancer

March 10, 2010 — Researchers from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that cystoscopy alone remains the most cost-effective method of detecting recurrent superficial bladder cancer. The details of this study were presented at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium March 5-7 in San Francisco.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health