Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some bones, such as the hip and thigh bones. It holds immature cells called stem cells, which can develop into:
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body;
- white blood cells, which fight infection;
- platelets, which help blood clot.
In a myelodysplastic syndrome, the stem cells do not mature into healthy blood cells, and many die in the bone marrow. Too few healthy blood cells can lead to infection, anaemia or easy bleeding.
Symptoms
Often there are none at first, and the condition is sometimes found by a routine blood test. Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- weakness or tiredness
- skin paler than usual
- easy bruising or bleeding
- pinpoint spots under the skin, caused by bleeding
- fever or frequent infections
Who gets it
Myelodysplastic syndromes are rare. People at higher risk are over 60, have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or have been exposed to certain chemicals.
Treatment
Options include transfusions, drug therapy, chemotherapy, and blood or bone marrow stem cell transplants.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Myelodysplastic Syndromes," from the NIH National Cancer Institute. https://medlineplus.gov/myelodysplasticsyndromes.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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