Causes and Symptoms

The exact causes of MDS (myelodysplastic syndromes) are not known. Some of the factors that may increase a person's risk for MDS include:

Smoking
Long-term exposure to dangerous substances such as benzene, radiation, or pesticides
Chemotherapy or radiation for other diseases

MDS is grouped into 2 categories:

Primary MDS develops without a known cause and is found in 70% to 80% of cases. This type of MDS is sometimes called de novo
Secondary MDS develops as a result of chemotherapy or radiation, and is generally more difficult to treat than primary MDS

It's important to know that you cannot catch MDS from other people and you cannot pass it to others through any form of contact.

Symptoms of MDS

When first diagnosed with MDS, a person may or may not have symptoms.

Everyone experiences MDS differently—some people may not have any symptoms. And just because you have some symptoms doesn't mean that you have MDS.

If a person does have symptoms of MDS, these symptoms are usually related to abnormal blood counts. A low blood count means you have abnormally low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and/or platelets in your blood. Although everyone has different amounts of blood cells in their body, there is a "normal range" required for each type of blood cell to do its job and keep the body functioning properly:

Adequate levels of red blood cells are needed to provide the tissues of the body with oxygen
Proper amounts of white blood cells are needed to fight infection
Platelets are needed in sufficient quantities to stop bleeding

A low blood cell count is called cytopenia (sigh-toe-PEE-nee-yuh). Most people with MDS have low red blood cell counts, a condition called anemia (ah-NEE-mee-yuh). Low counts of a certain white blood cell (neutrophils), called neutropenia (noo-troh-PEE-nee-yuh), and low platelet counts, called thrombocytopenia (THROM-boh-SITE-oh-PEE-nee-yuh), are also common in people with MDS.

Each condition is associated with specific symptoms.

Common symptoms of anemia (low red blood cell count) include:

Weakness
Fatigue
Dizziness

Common symptoms of neutropenia (low white blood cell count) include:

Frequent infections
Fever
Mouth sores

Common symptoms of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) include:

Bruising easily
Bleeding easily (as with nosebleeds or bleeding from brushing teeth)

Talk to your healthcare professional about any symptoms you may have.