Myelodysplastic syndromes

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Tests and diagnosis Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

Within your bone marrow, stem cells — your master cells, from which all other specialized cells are formed — normally develop into mature blood cells. But in people with one of a group of disorders called myelodysplastic syndromes or myelodysplasia, the stem cells don't mature or function properly, leading to a lack of healthy cells and to potentially life-threatening complications.

No truly effective treatment exists for myelodysplastic syndromes. Therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes usually focuses on reducing or preventing complications of the disease and of treatments. Some younger people with myelodysplastic syndromes who are in otherwise good health may be candidates for a bone marrow transplant, which may help prolong life.

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Symptoms