Myelodysplastic Syndrome Symptoms
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are a group of disorders that strongly affects the bone marrow and the blood cells in the body. For someone who develops MDS, the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets often produce in an erratic manner and symptoms of myelodysplastic syndromes varies. Although the illness usually inflicts older people, typically those over the age of 50, it has been known to affect younger individuals as well and can oftentimes be a life-altering disease.
Research has found that myelodysplastic syndromes are rarely inherited and in many cases the illness develops in patients with no known cause. However, there are several risk factors, such as exposure to benzene, that have been known to lead to the development and progression of MDS.
What Are Common Symptoms of Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
As mentioned before, symptoms of MDS can vary greatly depending upon the patient and the stage of the illness when diagnosed. However, there are some common symptoms, that are sometimes so common they make it hard to make a positive myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosis, that the majority of patients experience.
When a person is suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes they can often have anemia, which is a reduction of the number of circulating blood cells produced in the bloodstream. As a result, a person can experience a shortness of breath and fatigue. Neutropenia is another symptom of myelodysplastic syndrome, which means that there is a low white blood cell count. A low white blood cell count can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections. Some other common symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome are:
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Chest pain
- Pale skin
Receiving a Myelodysplastic Syndrome Diagnosis
If an individual is experiencing any of the above myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms it’s best to see a health care physician immediately. Receiving a diagnosis for MDS, although difficult emotionally, is best done sooner than later so treatment can be instantly implemented.
When doctors recognize the symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome in a patient they will commonly take a complete blood count and blood smear to see if there are any unusual occurrences with the blood cells and platelets. If the blood cell count is lower than normal, they will take a bone marrow sample, also known as a biopsy. During this process, special testing is also done known as cytogenetics, which takes a close look at the patient’s chromosomes located within the bone marrow cells. Finding an abnormal number of chromosomes can help doctors properly diagnose myelodysplastic syndrome.
Classifying Myelodysplastic Syndrome
According to research there are two main ways of classifying myelodysplastic syndrome. The FAB (French American British) system works by dividing the illness into five separate subgroups. The World Health Organization (WHO) also developed a classification system consisting of two main subgroups. These subgroups are divided by:
- Chronic and nonprogressive anemia
- Progressive and symptomatic blood cell deficiencies
Do you or someone you know have myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms? If so, please contact one of our experienced and trustworthy medical attorney who will evaluate your case and ensure that you receive the legal guidance and advice you need and deserve.
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See Also:
* MyelodysplasticSyndromeTreatment
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