Myelodysplastic Syndrome Flashcards
What is another term for myelodysplastic syndrome?
Myelodysplasia
What is myelodysplastic syndrome?
Acquired neoplastic disorder of hematopoietic stem cells
What type of condition is myelodysplastic syndrome?
Pre-leukaemia
What can myelodysplastic syndrome progress to?
AML
What is myelodysplastic syndrome caused by?
Myeloid bone marrow cells not maturing properly and therefore not producing healthy blood cells.
What does myelodysplastic syndrome result in, in the blood?
Low levels of blood components that originate from the myeloid cell line
What are the 3 main features of myelodysplastic syndrome?
- Anaemia
- Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
Who is myelodysplastic syndrome more common in?
- Patients over 60
* Patients that have previously had treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
How can patients present with myelodysplastic syndrome?
Asymptomatically and diagnosed incidentally on FBC
Or
With bone marrow failure symptoms
How is the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome confirmed?
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
What might a blood film show?
Blast cells
What is the management of myelodysplastic syndrome dependent on?
Symptoms
Risk of progression
Overall prognosis
What is the management if the patient is severely anaemic?
Supportive treatment with blood transfusions
What is the management if the patient is okay?
Watchful waiting
What are the other possible managements of myelodysplastic syndrome?
Chemotherapy
Stem cell transplantation
