Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders affecting the bone marrow resulting in cytopenia, blood cell dysplasia and an increased risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Myelodysplastic syndromes are more common in individuals older than 60 years, and those who hav...
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AOSIS
2025-07-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6118 |
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| author | Keshena Naidoo Sharlene Parasnath |
| author_facet | Keshena Naidoo Sharlene Parasnath |
| author_sort | Keshena Naidoo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders affecting the bone marrow resulting in cytopenia, blood cell dysplasia and an increased risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Myelodysplastic syndromes are more common in individuals older than 60 years, and those who have undergone radiation or chemotherapy in the past. Patients may be asymptomatic in the initial stages and can later develop fatigue, dyspnoea, frequent infections, petechiae, bruising and bleeding. Patients with persistent cytopenia (6 months) should be investigated further and referred to a haematologist if at high risk for MDS. The definitive diagnostic test for MDS is a bone marrow biopsy. Individuals with lower-risk MDS can be managed with blood transfusions, erythropoiesis stimulating agents, growth factors and lenalidomide (an immunomodulatory drug). Higher risk MDS patients have a median survival of less than three years, with stem cell transplant as the only cure. However, less than 10% of MDS patients receive this treatment because of the scarcity of donors. Primary care providers should also be aware of long-term side effects following a stem cell transplant. This article aims to increase awareness of MDS and stem cell transplants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e1c17729be7c4e29a7a3403732d96e19 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-e1c17729be7c4e29a7a3403732d96e192025-08-20T03:06:54ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042025-07-01671e1e610.4102/safp.v67i1.61184956Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspectiveKeshena Naidoo0Sharlene Parasnath1Department of Family Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDepartment of Clinical Haematology, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders affecting the bone marrow resulting in cytopenia, blood cell dysplasia and an increased risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Myelodysplastic syndromes are more common in individuals older than 60 years, and those who have undergone radiation or chemotherapy in the past. Patients may be asymptomatic in the initial stages and can later develop fatigue, dyspnoea, frequent infections, petechiae, bruising and bleeding. Patients with persistent cytopenia (6 months) should be investigated further and referred to a haematologist if at high risk for MDS. The definitive diagnostic test for MDS is a bone marrow biopsy. Individuals with lower-risk MDS can be managed with blood transfusions, erythropoiesis stimulating agents, growth factors and lenalidomide (an immunomodulatory drug). Higher risk MDS patients have a median survival of less than three years, with stem cell transplant as the only cure. However, less than 10% of MDS patients receive this treatment because of the scarcity of donors. Primary care providers should also be aware of long-term side effects following a stem cell transplant. This article aims to increase awareness of MDS and stem cell transplants.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6118myelodysplastic syndromeblood disordersstem cell transplantneoplasmhaematological disorders |
| spellingShingle | Keshena Naidoo Sharlene Parasnath Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective South African Family Practice myelodysplastic syndrome blood disorders stem cell transplant neoplasm haematological disorders |
| title | Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective |
| title_full | Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective |
| title_fullStr | Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective |
| title_short | Myelodysplastic syndromes: A primary care perspective |
| title_sort | myelodysplastic syndromes a primary care perspective |
| topic | myelodysplastic syndrome blood disorders stem cell transplant neoplasm haematological disorders |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/6118 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT keshenanaidoo myelodysplasticsyndromesaprimarycareperspective AT sharleneparasnath myelodysplasticsyndromesaprimarycareperspective |