Does MDS always turn into leukemia?

In the past, MDS was sometimes referred to as pre-leukemia or smoldering leukemia. Because most patients do not get leukemia, MDS used to be classified as a disease of low malignant potential.

What causes death in MDS patients?

Death from MDS is often caused by bleeding and/or infection from low blood cell counts or after the disease becomes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About a third of patients with MDS develop AML. It is important to remember that statistics on MDS are an estimate.

What is considered high risk MDS?

The newer WPSS classification system takes into account chromosomal abnormalities like IPSS, but includes two more factors—the WHO’s own classification of MDS subtypes and whether the patient is dependent on red cell transfusions. In the WPSS, a score of three or above is considered higher-risk.

How long can you live with untreated MDS?

Survival statistics for MDS

WPSS Risk Group Median Survival Risk of AML (within 5 years)
Low 5.5 years 14%
Intermediate 4 years 33%
High 2.2 years 54%
Very high 9 months 84%

What is the most common complication of the myelodysplastic syndromes?

Complications of myelodysplastic syndromes include:

  • Anemia. Reduced numbers of red blood cells can cause anemia, which can make you feel tired.
  • Recurrent infections. Having too few white blood cells increases your risk of serious infections.
  • Bleeding that won’t stop.
  • Increased risk of cancer.

What are the risk factors for MDS?

Age: MDS is rarely diagnosed before the age of 40.

  • Previous cancer treatment: Patients who have had both chemotherapy and radiation for previous cancers have the greatest chance of developing MDS,though their overall risk is still considered low.
  • Gender: MDS is more common in men than women.
  • Smoking: Use of cigarettes is a known risk factor.

    • Can you die from MDS?

    Death from MDS is often caused by bleeding and/or infection from low blood cell counts or after the disease becomes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About a third of patients with MDS develop AML. It is important to remember that statistics on MDS are an estimate.

    Is MDS becoming AML leukemia?

    About one-third of people with MDS will develop AML , which is cancer of the bone marrow. For this reason, doctors sometimes refer to MDS as preleukemia. People with more advanced MDS have a much higher risk of AML. At present, there are no lifestyle changes or dietary supplements that can reduce the risk of MDS becoming AML.

    Is remission possible with MDS?

    Blood or stem cell transplantation — Hematopoietic cell transplantation (also called bone marrow transplantation or stem cell transplantation) is the only treatment for MDS that has the potential to induce long-term remission or cure. However, the risks of treatment may be greater than the benefits in some situations.