Haem - Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Question 1

What is myelodysplastic syndrome?

Answer 1

Cancer caused by mutation in myeloid cells in the bone marrow

Results in inadequate production of blood cells (ineffective haematopoiesis)

Potential to transform into acute myeloid leukaemia

Question 2

What does myelodysplastic syndrome cause?

Answer 2

Pancytopenia
- Anaemia
- Neutropenia
- Thrombocytopenia

Question 3

What are the risk factors for myelodysplastic syndrome?

Answer 3

Older age
Previous chemotherapy
Radiotherapy

Question 4

How does myelodysplastic syndrome present?

Answer 4

Can be asymptomatic

Diagnosed after incidental findings

-Penia symptoms

Question 5

How is myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosed?

Answer 5

FBC will be abnormal

Blasts on blood film

Bone marrow biopsy to confirm diagnosis

Question 6

How is myelodysplastic syndrome managed?

Answer 6

Depends on symptoms, risk of progression and overall prognosis

• Watchful waiting
• Supportive treatment
• Erythropoietin
• GCSF (stimulates neutrophil production)
• Chemotherapy and targeted therapies (e.g. lenalidomide)
• Allogenic stem cell transplantation (high risk but potentially curative)