Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
What is Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)?
Myelodysplastic Syndrome is a group of blood disorders caused by abnormal bone marrow function. Your bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells. In MDS, the bone marrow produces blood cells that are misshapen or do not work properly. These abnormal cells often die in the bone marrow or shortly after entering the bloodstream.
This leads to low numbers of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets help your blood clot. When these cells are low or dysfunctional, you may feel tired, get infections easily, or bruise and bleed more than normal.
MDS is most common in people over age 65, though it can occur at any age. Some cases progress slowly over years. Others advance more quickly and may develop into acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer. Early detection through blood testing helps doctors monitor the condition and start treatment when needed.
Symptoms
- Persistent fatigue and weakness that does not improve with rest
- Shortness of breath during normal activities
- Pale skin due to low red blood cell counts
- Frequent infections or infections that do not clear up easily
- Easy bruising or bleeding, including nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- Small red spots under the skin called petechiae
- Unexplained fevers
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Many people with MDS have no symptoms in the early stages. The condition is often first discovered through routine blood work that shows abnormal blood cell counts. This is why regular blood testing is important for early detection.
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Causes and risk factors
MDS happens when the DNA in bone marrow cells becomes damaged. This damage causes the cells to grow and divide abnormally. The exact cause is unknown in most cases. Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene, tobacco smoke, or previous chemotherapy and radiation therapy increases risk. Some people develop MDS after exposure to heavy metals or pesticides. Age is the strongest risk factor, with most cases occurring after age 60.
Certain genetic disorders also raise MDS risk, though most cases are not inherited. Previous blood disorders or immune system conditions may increase likelihood. Men develop MDS slightly more often than women. Most cases arise without any clear cause or known risk factor. The condition develops gradually over months to years as abnormal cells accumulate in the bone marrow.
How it's diagnosed
MDS is diagnosed through blood tests and bone marrow examination. Initial blood work often shows low blood cell counts in one or more cell types. Key blood markers include Mean Corpuscular Volume, which measures red blood cell size, Red Cell Distribution Width, which shows variation in cell size, and Neutrophil counts, which assess white blood cell function. In MDS, red blood cells are often larger than normal, cell sizes vary widely, and neutrophil counts may be low.
Rite Aid offers blood testing that measures these important markers. Our flagship panel includes MCV, RDW, and Neutrophil testing to help detect abnormal blood cell patterns. If your results show concerning patterns, your doctor will likely order a bone marrow biopsy to confirm MDS and determine the specific subtype. Early detection through regular blood testing allows for timely intervention and better outcomes.
Treatment options
- Regular monitoring with blood tests to track disease progression
- Blood transfusions to treat severe anemia or low platelet counts
- Growth factor injections to stimulate red blood cell or white blood cell production
- Medications like azacitidine or decitabine to slow disease progression
- Lenalidomide for certain MDS subtypes with specific genetic changes
- Immunosuppressive therapy for select patients
- Stem cell transplant for younger patients with high-risk disease
- Antibiotics to prevent or treat infections when white blood cells are low
- Iron chelation therapy if iron builds up from repeated transfusions
- Supportive care focusing on quality of life and symptom management
Concerned about Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
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Frequently asked questions
Early MDS often has no symptoms. Many people discover they have MDS through routine blood work showing low blood counts. When symptoms do appear, they typically include fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, or easy bruising. Regular blood testing helps catch these changes before symptoms develop.
Blood tests can show patterns consistent with MDS, such as low blood counts, enlarged red blood cells, and increased variation in cell size. Tests measuring MCV, RDW, and Neutrophil counts are particularly useful for detecting abnormal patterns. A bone marrow biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the MDS subtype.
If you have MDS risk factors like previous chemotherapy or chemical exposure, annual blood testing is recommended. Your doctor may suggest more frequent testing based on your specific risk level. Regular monitoring helps detect changes early when treatment is most effective.
MDS is not leukemia, but it can progress to acute myeloid leukemia in some cases. MDS is a disorder where bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells. About one-third of people with MDS eventually develop leukemia. Regular monitoring helps doctors track progression and adjust treatment as needed.
High MCV means your red blood cells are larger than normal, a condition called macrocytosis. In MDS, high MCV results from abnormal bone marrow function that produces misshapen cells. This finding, especially combined with low blood counts, should prompt evaluation for MDS and other bone marrow disorders.
The only potential cure for MDS is a stem cell transplant, which carries significant risks. Most patients receive treatments to manage symptoms, improve blood counts, and slow disease progression. Many people with low-risk MDS live for years with supportive care and monitoring.
Focus on preventing infections by washing hands frequently and avoiding sick contacts. Eat a nutrient-dense diet rich in iron and B vitamins to support blood cell production. Avoid alcohol and tobacco, which can worsen blood cell function. Rest when tired and report any new symptoms to your doctor promptly.
Elevated RDW indicates your red blood cells vary widely in size. In MDS, abnormal bone marrow produces cells of many different shapes and sizes. This variation reflects the dysplastic, or abnormal, process happening in your bone marrow. High RDW combined with other abnormal markers helps doctors identify MDS.
Low neutrophil count, called neutropenia, increases infection risk significantly. Neutrophils are white blood cells that fight bacteria. In MDS, neutrophil counts may be low and the cells may not function properly. This makes infection prevention critical and may require medications to stimulate white blood cell production.
Some MDS patients achieve remission with treatment, meaning blood counts return to normal levels. Remission does not always mean cure, and MDS may return. Treatment with medications like azacitidine can induce remission in some patients. Regular blood monitoring helps track response to treatment and detect any recurrence early.