1st Global Medical

Myelodysplastic syndromes, more commonly referred to as MDS, can have an extremely negative impact on a person’s blood. As one of the precursors to leukemia, which is a cancer of the bloodstream, MDS has direct implications on the red and white blood cells, as well as on the bone marrow. Some forms of MDS are easy to manage but others that are difficult to treat may lead to other health complications such as leikemia.

MDS in the blood affects an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people in the United States yearly. The median age for those commonly affected by the diseases is 65; however, in rare cases, younger adults and children can be diagnosed with this sometimes fatal illness. Although MDS, according to statistics, is more common in men, women are also affected by the diseases.

Causes of MDS Blood Issues?

When a person develops MDS in their bloodstream, this means that their body is not producing enough normal, healthy red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. In conjunction with the sporadic production of blood cells, the bone marrow usually also makes unformed cells, known as blasts. Blasts typically develop into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. When MDS is present in the blood, blasts occur in a curious and abnormal manner causing the cells to develop and function abnormally.

For the most part, the cause of this spontaneous change in the blood cell production and bone marrow condition remains unknown, though scientists and researchers are working vigorously to discover the truth behind MDS and the cancers it causes. However, in certain cases, doctors have been able to link this abnormality to a person’s lengthy exposure to toxic chemicals like benzene, or their exposure to radiation and pesticides. Environmental factors are responsible for these cases that are referred to as secondary MDS or treatment-related MDS.

Symptoms of MDS

The symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the severity of the disease and the impact that the MDS has had on the blood. Some people may not be experiencing symptoms when they receive they initial diagnosis, which makes this news all the more painful. A routine blood test to determine the patient’s blood cell count and it’s relationship to normal may be run to find the disease. Anemia may develop when a person has a low red blood cell count resulting in weakness, exhaustion, pale skin and shortness of breath. Anemia has a significant impact on the blood and, according to reports is the most common form of MDS.

Frequent infections and consistent fevers may result when a person has a low white blood cell count because white blood cells help to fight against infections. Uncontrollable bleeding and easy bruising can also be common symptoms of a low white blood cell count.

Have you experienced some or all of these symptoms and believe you could be at risk of MDS of the blood due to your exposure to benzene? Contact a benzene attorney if you or someone you love has been exposed to any of these risk factors and you believe that you could have aplastic anemia.