Blast cells, under normal conditions, mature in the bone marrow and are released (as red or white blood cells or platelets) into the blood stream, where they fulfill functions that are fundamental to the maintenance of adequate health.

When someone has MSD or myelodisplasy, the blast cells may not reach maturity and/or have a reduced lifespan.

What happens then?

The blast cells may die in the bone marrow before entering the blood stream, resulting in a disproportionally high bone marrow blast count and an abnormally low quantity of mature blood cells in circulation.

Low blood cell counts are a feature of myeloplasy and a cause of some of the symptoms sufferers display. In general terms, the patient may present anemia, infections or bleeding.

Who is most affected by the disease?

Those most affected by MSD are the elderly, with the average age for sufferers being 65. However, the illness can develop any time from the third decade of life to ages in excess of 80. It can also, though rarely, attack children.

How is the disease diagnosed?

Many patients do not present any symptoms early on in the disease. Routine blood tests (a haemogram, for example) may detect a low red blood cell count, resulting in more detailed testing for anemia revealing the diagnosis of MSD.

If the disease is not diagnosed in the early stages and is allowed to advance, symptoms may arise. A low red blood cell count leads to anemia, the symptoms of which include tiredness, a pale complexion and lack of strength. Other symptoms, such as shortage of breath or palpitations, may arise in more advanced stages of anemia. In patients with heart complaints, anemia can aggravate the symptoms of these conditions, such as angina pectoris.

When the main alteration is a low white cell count, infections can occur, while bleeding is often a sign of low platelet count. Some patients may suffer from nosebleeds, others from bleeding in the gums after brushing their teeth, while others may suffer more serious hemorrhaging.

If you present any of these symptoms you should consult your doctor for examination and treatment, if necessary.

Links

Associação Brasileira de Linfoma e Leucemia: www.abrale.org.br/doencas/mielodisplasia
Mielodisplasia e envelhecimento: www.portaldoenvelhecimento.net/artigos/artigo430.htm
Mielodisplasia: www.drashirleydecampos.com.br/noticias/17350