Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Question 1

What is myelodysplatic syndrome?

Answer 1

Myelodysplastic syndrome is caused by the myeloid bone marrow cells (responsible for creating RBCs, neutrophils and megakaryocytes that produce platelets) not maturing properly and therefore not producing healthy blood cells.

Question 2

There are a number of different specific myelodysplastic syndromes, T/F?

Answer 2

T

Question 3

What effect does MDS have on the myeloid cell line?

Answer 3

It causes low levels of blood components that originate from the myeloid cell line:

• Anaemia
• Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)

Question 4

What group of people is MDS most common in?

Answer 4

1. Patients above 60 years

2. Patients that have previously had treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Question 5

People with MDS are at increased risk of AML, T/F?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

what is the presentation of MDS?

Answer 6

Patients may be asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed based on a full blood count.

They may present with symptoms of anaemia (fatigue, pallor or shortness of breath), neutropenia (frequent or severe infections) or thrombocytopenia (purpura or bleeding).

Question 7

How is a diagnosis of MDS made?

Answer 7

Full blood count will be abnormal. There may be blasts on the blood film.

The diagnosis is confirmed by bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Question 8

What is the management of MDS?

Answer 8

Depending on the symptoms, risk of progression and overall prognosis the treatment options are:

• Watchful waiting
• Supportive treatment with blood transfusions if severely anaemic
• Chemotherapy
• Stem cell transplantation