Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Treatment Options & Management

Myelodysplastic syndromes result from blood cells that are poorly formed or dysfunctional. These disorders are caused by conditions in a patient's bone marrow that affect the creation of blood cells. Myelodysplastic syndromes can be treated with medications and other treatments.

Blood Transfusions

• According to the Mayo Clinic, blood transfusions may be necessary to increase the blood levels of white blood cells, red blood cells or blood platelets in people with a myelodysplastic syndrome.

Bone Marrow Transplant

• Defective bone marrow stem cells may be replaced with healthy cells in a bone marrow stem cell transplant if a doctor recommends this treatment.

Growth Factors

• Growth factors are prescription drugs that provide artificial replacements for defective factors in a patient's bone marrow. These growth factors may increase production of red or white blood cells and may reduce the need for transfusions of blood.

Stimulate Maturation

• Drugs such as azacitidine and decitabine may stimulate a patient's immature blood cells to mature into useful cells.

Immune System

• Patients with a myelodysplastic syndrome may need immune system suppressing drugs.