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How Can Myelodysplastic Syndrome Be Treated?
I have MDS and I have been taking shots to help red blood cells and white blood cells. They were working great, then I had an operation on my head that needed radiation. Since the radiation the shots have not been working as well. I am going in tomorrow for my third blood transfusion, my last blood transfusion was on June 15th. Are there any new treatments for MDS?
Tue, 5 Sep 2017
Treatment of MDS depends on the risk category of disease. If Erythropoietin is not working for you, then following are the treatment options:
1. If your MDS is of hypocellular variety or HLA DR 15 is positive or PNH clone is positive, then you may respond well to immunosuppressive therapy which consists of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and ciclosporine.
2. If none of the above are positive, we can treat you with hypomethylating agents. Two drugs are available in this category. They are Decitabine and Azacytidine.
3. If this also does not work for you and you are physically fit, we can do bone marrow transplant, which is a curative option for you. For this we will need a donor of stem cells.
4. If none of these work, then better to get enrolled in one of the clinical trials for MDS.
The last option will be palliative care, which includes blood transfusion and other supportive/symptomatic medicines.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
With regards,
Dr. Girish Kamat
1. If your MDS is of hypocellular variety or HLA DR 15 is positive or PNH clone is positive, then you may respond well to immunosuppressive therapy which consists of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and ciclosporine.
2. If none of the above are positive, we can treat you with hypomethylating agents. Two drugs are available in this category. They are Decitabine and Azacytidine.
3. If this also does not work for you and you are physically fit, we can do bone marrow transplant, which is a curative option for you. For this we will need a donor of stem cells.
4. If none of these work, then better to get enrolled in one of the clinical trials for MDS.
The last option will be palliative care, which includes blood transfusion and other supportive/symptomatic medicines.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
With regards,
Dr. Girish Kamat
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