What is Myelodysplastic syndrome?
{{Infobox disease | Name = Myelodysplastic syndrome | | Image = | | Caption = | | DiseasesDB = 8604| | ICD10 = {{ICD10|D|46||d|37}} | | ICD9 = {{ICD9|238.7}} | | ICDO = 9980/0-{{ICDO|9989|3}} | | OMIM = | | MedlinePlus = | | eMedicineSubj = med | | eMedicineTopic = 2695 | | eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|ped|1527}} | | MeshID = D009190 }} The '''Myelodysplastic syndrome''' is a group of [[disease]]s and [[condition]]s that affect how [[blood]] is made. These diseases were formerly known as '''preleukemia''', mostly because sometimes they can lead to [[leukemia]]. Often, its name is shortened to '''MDS'''. Myelodysplastic syndromes affect the [[bone marrow]] [[stem cell]]s. The production of blood does not rely on good stem cells, but ones that have been modified [[genetics|genetically]]. This means that the production of [[red blood cell]]s, sometimes of [[white blood cell]]s and [[blood platelet]]s changed. The production becomes inefficient, or goes wrong altogether. Most of the time, this manifests in [[anemia]] - not having enough blood. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can also cause [[hemorrhage]]s and [[infection]]s with [[fever]]. Most of the people who have these conditions are 60 years or older, but younger people can get it too, especially if they went through a form of [[chemotherapy]]. Most of the suffers die from the disease, usually after six to thirty months. The only known [[cure]] is a [[stem cell transplant]]. About a third of those suffering contract leukemia within a few months to a few years. {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Blood disorders]]