Myelodysplasia - Myelodysplastic Syndrome - MDS

What is Myelodysplasia?

Myelodysplasia (MY-eh-loh-dis-PLAY-zhuh)

(Also known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome, MDS and "Pre" Leukemia)

Your bone marrow, the spongy tissue located in the center of your bones, contains the stem cells from which all other specialized cells in your body are formed. The stem cells in your bone marrow are what create the new blood cells your body needs. The red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body, the white blood cells that fight infection and the platelets that clot your blood.

But in people who suffer from Myelodysplastic Syndromes or Myelodysplasia, the stem cells don't mature or function properly. This lack of new healthy cells can be so minimal no treatment is needed or so serious that it causes life-threatening complications that include an inability to fight off infection, severe bleeding/hemorrhaging and anemia.

In one third of those diagnosed with severe Myelodysplasia the condition progresses to become Acute Myeloid Leukemia within months or years.