Myelodysplastia syndrome (MDS), which was once known as preleukemia, is a hematological condition that consists of a variety of health complications joined by the ineffective production of the blood cells. Although many people don’t know the details behind myelodysplastia syndrome, most are very familiar with the term leukemia, which is what MDS can commonly develop into.

The condition is a disorder of the bone marrow stem cell and it can result in disorderly and ineffective blood production. This irregular blood production can cause irreversible defects in the blood-forming cells. In most cases, the course of this illness is chronic and can gradually worsen due to the progressive failure of the bones. According to research, an estimated one-third of patients living with MDS can develop acute myelogenous leukemia within a few years of living with the disease.

Diagnosing Myelodysplastia Syndrome

Research shows that the median age at the time of diagnosis for myelodysplastia syndrome is between 60 and 75 years old. This specific blood disorder is typically rare in children and males are at higher risk than females. There are many symptoms that can serve as a detector of the disease; however, the signs can often be associated with many blood disorders and aren’t always immediately linked to MDS. 

Some symptoms linked to myelodysplastia syndrome include:

• Anemia- A chronic fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain
• Neutropenia- An increased vulnerability to infection
• Thrombocytopenia- Increased susceptibility to bleeding

Aside from the obvious risk of developing leukemia and having your life taken, an estimated 50 percent of the deaths linked to MDS occur as the result of bleeding or infection. Although researchers are working hard to find a cure for myelodysplastia syndrome, treatments are only available right now. However, leukemia that develops as the result of MDS is notoriously resistant to various types of treatment.

How to Detect Myelodysplastia Syndrome

Since MDS can so easily be misdiagnosed due to its common symptoms, doctors usually need to take a full blood count and examine the blood film. In doing so, they can ensure that there are no other causes of the experienced symptoms, such as hepatitis, B12, or HIV. Chromosomal studies are also conducted, which require fresh specimen, since the live cells tested are induced to enhance the chromosomal staining.

Causes of Myelodysplastia Syndrome

MDS can be caused by environmental factors such as exposure to benzene, a known toxic chemical, and radiation. What’s known as secondary MDS can also occur as the result of late toxicity in patients who have endured treatments for other types of cancer. Even though researchers can prove that MDS arises from mutations in the bone marrow stem cell, the defects responsible for these mutations are still not completely understood.

Do you know someone who is living with myelodysplastia syndrome and could have potentially been exposed to benzene? If so, please contact one of our experienced attorneys so you and your loved ones can receive the legal guidance you need and deserve.

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See Also

• MDS Research
• MDS Syndrome

Benzene Leukemia Law Blog