Myelodysplastic Syndrome

MDSs are a group of closely related disorders that arise in the bone marrow. They occur due to a disorder of the hematopoietic stem cells. 

These are the immature cells from which all blood cells develop. As a result of MDS, the bone marrow makes fewer red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infection), or platelets (which prevent or stop bleeding), or any combination of the three. 

In MDS, the cells in the blood and bone marrow also usually look abnormal. “Myelo” refers to the cells in the blood and bone marrow. “Dysplastic” means abnormal. This is where the name myelodysplastic syndrome comes from. 

The most common age at diagnosis is about 70, although people of any age can develop the disease.