How is MDS treated?
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) can be treated in several ways, depending on the specific type of MDS, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health. The primary goals of treatment are to manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow disease progression. Some of the treatments include:
1. Watchful waiting: If MDS is not causing any symptoms or only mild symptoms, a doctor may suggest simply monitoring your health closely without starting treatment right away. This approach also involves treating symptoms as they come.
2. Supportive care: This involves treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. For example, blood transfusions can be used to improve levels of red blood cells if a patient is anemic, or platelets in case of bleeding issues. Growth factors might also be used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more blood cells.
1. Watchful waiting: If MDS is not causing any symptoms or only mild symptoms, a doctor may suggest simply monitoring your health closely without starting treatment right away. This approach also involves treating symptoms as they come.
2. Supportive care: This involves treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. For example, blood transfusions can be used to improve levels of red blood cells if a patient is anemic, or platelets in case of bleeding issues. Growth factors might also be used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more blood cells.
3. Medication: There are several types of drugs that can be used to treat MDS. Some help the bone marrow produce healthier cells, while others can help reduce the number of unhealthy cells in your bone marrow. An example of this is a group of drugs called hypomethylating agents, like azacitidine and decitabine, that can help control the disease.
4. Chemotherapy: This treatment uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. It's often used for people who have a high risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer.
5. Stem cell transplant: This is currently the only potential curative option for MDS. It involves receiving healthy stem cells from a donor (usually a sibling or unrelated donor) after intense chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This is a complex procedure with significant risks and side effects, so it's typically reserved for younger patients and those in good health aside from MDS.
6. Clinical trials: These are studies that test new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. Participating in a clinical trial might give you access to new treatments that aren't widely available yet.
4. Chemotherapy: This treatment uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. It's often used for people who have a high risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer.
5. Stem cell transplant: This is currently the only potential curative option for MDS. It involves receiving healthy stem cells from a donor (usually a sibling or unrelated donor) after intense chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This is a complex procedure with significant risks and side effects, so it's typically reserved for younger patients and those in good health aside from MDS.
6. Clinical trials: These are studies that test new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. Participating in a clinical trial might give you access to new treatments that aren't widely available yet.
Treatment choices for MDS can be complex and depend on a lot of factors. Patients should discuss all treatment options with a doctor to find the best approach for their situation. Treatment should be individualized based on your disease characteristics, overall health, age, and personal preferences.
