What are Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)?
Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS is the name given to a group of similar blood disorders in which a defect occurs in the stem cells within the bone marrow. In a healthy individual, stem cells produced in the bone marrow develop into one of the three types of mature blood cells: red blood cells which deliver oxygen throughout the body; white blood cells which fight infection; and platelets which help prevent bleeding. In individuals with MDS, stem cells do not mature into healthy blood cells. Instead, these immature blood cells, called blasts, function improperly. They either die in the bone marrow or soon after they enter the blood. This results in the production of too many defective blood cells and not enough normal blood cells. In the United States there are between 12,000 and 20,000 new cases of MDS diagnosed each year, primarily among adults aged 60-80.
