Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatment
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a disease that affects bone marrow and is often classified as a group of stem cell disorders that result in the disorderly production of the blood cells. In most cases, the course of this disease is chronic and can gradually worsen as the bone marrow becomes involved and begins to fail. Although researchers haven’t found a cure for this illness, there are myelodysplastic syndrome treatment’s that are available to patients.
Finding an Effective Treatment for Myelodysplastic Syndrome
For every patient living with MDS, physicians typically create a course of treatment by taking a number of factors into consideration:
- How severe the patient’s case is and how much the disease has inflicted the body
- What types of treatments the patient has already received
- The patient's age and overall health at the time of diagnosis
For most patients with this illness, the only available myelodysplastic syndrome treatments don’t necessarily offer a good chance of being cured. Most MDS treatments are solely designed to slow down the progression of myelodysplastic syndrome and to help alleviate symptoms.
Types of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatments
Younger patients who are living with MDS, which would be those under the age of 60, could be eligible to receive a bone marrow transplant as part of their treatment. In about 20 to 40 percent of cases, bone marrow transplant has even been found to act as a curative in patients who receive successful transplants.
For patients who are considered to be past the age where a bone marrow transplant would be effective, treatment typically consists of ongoing supportive care, which is an approach that includes:
- Blood and platelet transfusions
- Giving the patient antibiotics to help treat any infections
- Investigational Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Researchers are consistently testing how new treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome can be effective and in some cases, how they can be improved. Many of these investigational approaches are offered to patients who are eligible in clinical trials. Clinical trials are designed to continually advance the standard of care and treatment for those living with myelodysplastic syndrome. Most clinical trials involve a full team approach, consisting of clinicians, scientists, and pathologists who actively work together to care for each patient.
Another treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome, that has been commonly used among doctors, uses ATG (antithymocyte globulin), which helps to suppress the activity of the patient’s white blood cells. In some cases, these white blood cells can conflict with the normal blood cell production. However, the ATG approach is something that works only temporarily in slightly less than half of all patients with MDS.
Do you know someone who is living with myelodysplastic syndrome and believe that it was wrongfully caused? Please contact us today to speak with a trustworthy and experienced attorney who will better inform you about available treatments and ensure that you and your loved ones are receiving the legal guidance and care you need and deserve.
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