Library · Neoplasm
Myelodysplastic syndrome
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Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of diseases of the bone marrow, the factory that makes blood cells. In them, a hematopoietic stem cell, the one that gives rise to all of those cells, becomes clonal: it copies itself over and over and fills the marrow with descendants that carry the same defect. What comes out of that is dysplasia, malformed cells, and ineffective hematopoiesis, that is, production that does not pay off.
The defect is genetic and can almost always be named. In up to 80% to 90% of cases at least one driver mutation is found, the one that pushes the disease along, and in more than 80% there are cytogenetic abnormalities, visible changes in the chromosomes.
And a blood test shows what actually makes it out: red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells all drop. The factory is not shut down: it keeps producing, but what it makes is useless and never reaches the blood. In some cases the disease transforms into acute myeloid leukemia.
In brief
Myelodysplastic syndromes are clonal disorders of the hematopoietic stem cell that produce dysplasia and ineffective hematopoiesis in the bone marrow.
At least one driver mutation is identified in up to 80% to 90% of cases, and cytogenetic abnormalities are present in more than 80%.
Its manifestations include low red blood cell, platelet, and white blood cell counts, and some cases transform into acute myeloid leukemia.
The factory is not shut down: it keeps producing, but what it makes is useless and never reaches the blood.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingMyelodysplastic Syndrome, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated