Loading icon
Health Information Center

Other Treatments for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Other Treatments for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Peripheral Stem Cell Transplant

MDS and its treatment causes a drop in the number of healthy blood cells in the marrow. A peripheral stem cell transplant (PBSCT) uses healthy stem (unformed) cells from the blood of a donor. The stem cells travel to bone marrow sites all over the body. Slowly, they return the numbers of blood cells to a normal range. If PBSCT works, the new cancer free cells should make healthy new ones.

Types of PBSCT:

A PBSCT is not for everyone. Success rates vary depending on age, gender, and how aggressive MDS is. Side effects include rejection of the new cells and return of MDS. With rejection, the new blood cells are thought of as foreign and the body attacks them.

Central Venous Catheter

A soft, thin, flexible tube is placed in a large vein in the body. Common sites are under the collarbone or in the chest. These tubes eliminate the need for repeated needlesticks. The tube links to a different tube that is fixed to the outside of the body. The tube can be used to give medicine or take blood samples.

Allogenic

Tissue from the marrow is removed from the person with MDS. The donated marrow is given through a vein in the chest. Then, the person with MDS is kept away from others. This is to lower the risk of infection while blood cells are restored. It can take up to a month for this to happen.

References

  • Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/myelodysplastic-syndrome-mds. Accessed April 20, 2022.
  • Treating myelodysplastic syndromes. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/myelodysplastic-syndrome/treating.html. Accessed April 20, 2022.
  • Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/patient/myelodysplastic-treatment-pdq#section/_49. Accessed April 20, 2022.

Contributors

  • Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated:
2021-12-20

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.