What is Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Cancer?

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), also called myelodysplasia, is a rare type of blood cancer that affects your bone marrow and makes faulty blood cells.

When people are diagnosed with MDS, this means that the bone marrow is making abnormal blood cells called dysplastic cells. These do not work and are then destroyed by the body meaning there are not enough blood cells in the blood. Myelodysplastic syndromes develop slowly and may not need treatment straight away.

There are a few different types of MDS and are based on the following:

Which type of blood cell is abnormal (red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets).
How many immature cells (blasts) are in the blood.
If there are any genetic changes in the blood cells.

There are different types of MDS that behave in different ways, your doctor will explain which type of MDS you have by looking at the levels of your different blood cells, your bone marrow and any changes to your genes. The type of MDS you have will affect your prognosis and which treatment your Doctor will recommend.

More information is available from Blood Cancer UK.

Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.