Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are diseases that can be manifested in various degrees, from mild anemia to acute myelogenous leukemia. These diseases that often lead to anemia and other severe health complications can greatly impact a person’s life, whether their illness is progressive or not. MDS occurs and leads to anemia when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow produce cells that don’t mature properly, which can then lead to low counts of healthy blood red blood cells, white bloods cells, or platelets in the bloodstream.

Each year, thousands of Americans are affected by this illness and although researchers have pinned down a few causes for this condition, there is yet to be a cure. However, scientists are consistently working with health care physicians to prevent myelodysplastic anemia and other related illnesses from taking more lives in the future.

What is Myelodysplastic Anemia?

Myelodysplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow’s blood-forming cells are prevented from producing new blood cells. This decrease in red blood cell production is an indication that too few red blood cells are present in the blood stream, which is the condition known as anemia. Red blood cells are solely responsible for delivering oxygen to the tissues in the human body, so for patients with severe myelodysplastic anemia, the condition can be very serious.

This condition can result in the lowering of the immune system defense since there is a decrease in the number of white blood cells. A common symptom associated with this form of anemia is excessive bleeding due to the lowered number of platelets in the system.

 There are some main differences between MDS and the heightened type of MDS that leads to anemia. In patient with MDS, the bone marrow is responsible for producing abnormal blood cells that don’t function in a proper manner. With myelodysplastic anemia, the marrow simply stops producing new blood cells altogether. MDS is also most common in the elderly, while myelodysplastic anemia often affects people in their younger years.

What is Secondary Myelodysplastic Anemia?

Although researchers are not sure as to what causes these types of illnesses all of the time in those who are seemingly healthy, in certain cases, environmental factors can be blamed on the development of MDS. In these cases, the disease is known as secondary myelodysplastic anemia.

Secondary myelodysplastic anemia is when this damage to the bone marrow is caused by:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Cancer medications
• Exposure to toxic chemicals like benzene

Symptoms Associated With MDS Anemia

Symptoms associated with myelodysplastic anemia are similar to those of MDS and can often be linked with other illnesses since they’re so common. Among the symptoms that patients who have this illness can experience are:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and exhaustion
• Pale skin
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Loss of appetite

Do you know someone who is living with myelodysplastic anemia that could potentially have been exposed to benzene? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who will enable your loved ones to receive the legal advice and guidance they deserve.

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See Also:

• WhatisMDS
• Myleodysplastic Syndromes

Benzene Leukemia Law Blog