How To Treat Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Transplants

The only possibility of a cure for myelodysplastic syndromes is bone marrow or stem cell transplants. Transplants allow doctors to replace the underproducing or diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow that will produce the cells the way it is supposed to. The biggest problem with this option is it is very hard on the body. However, advancements in transplantation and the matching of donors and recipients has led to lower mortality rates. There are still barriers to transplants, which causes a delay in the time between transplant and the actual procedure. This gives the condition a longer period to ravage the patient and can often mean, even if approved for the transplant, the patient dies before the transplant can take place. If a patient is approved for transplant, there are a few options as to the type of chemotherapy they are given. In younger patients, they are given higher doses that ensure all the unhealthy bone marrow is destroyed. In older patients, sometimes they are given a lower dose that is just enough to kill the unhealthy bone marrow but results in fewer side effects. The most significant side effect is the danger of infection because the new marrow needs to take hold and generate the cells that are used by the body to fend off infection. Regardless, all possibilities should be investigated.