Myelodysplastic syndrome facts for kids

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (often shortened to MDS) is a group of illnesses that affect how your body makes blood. These conditions used to be called preleukemia because sometimes they can lead to a type of cancer called leukemia.

What is Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)?

MDS happens when the special cells in your bone marrow (called stem cells) don't work right. These stem cells are like the "factories" that make all your blood cells. In MDS, these factory cells are damaged. This means they don't make healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

How MDS Affects Your Blood

When your bone marrow doesn't make enough healthy blood cells, it can cause different problems.

• Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. If you don't have enough, it's called anemia. This can make you feel very tired and weak.
• White blood cells fight off infections. If you have too few healthy white blood cells, you might get sick more often. You could also have fevers.
• Platelets help your blood clot. If you don't have enough platelets, you might bleed or bruise more easily. This can lead to problems like nosebleeds or bleeding gums.

Who Gets MDS and How is it Treated?

Most people who get MDS are 60 years old or older. However, younger people can also get it. This is especially true if they have had certain types of chemotherapy treatment in the past.

MDS is a serious condition. For some people, it can get worse over time. About one-third of people with MDS may develop leukemia within a few months or years. The only known way to cure MDS is with a stem cell transplant. This is a special procedure where healthy stem cells are put into your body.

See also

In Spanish: Síndrome mielodisplásico para niños