In this article you will learn about the recurrence, remission, survival rates, prognosis of myelodysplastic syndromes and lifestyle changes for myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS.
Recurrence and Remission for Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS
Remission from myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS is the stage when the symptoms of the disease are not visible. Recurrence can happen after a period of time and causes lots of worry to the patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. You can consult the doctor regarding the return of myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. If you comprehend the pattern of recurrence, it would be easier to allay the worries.
In case if there is a recurrence of myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS, continuous testing is conducted to know the possible reasons in a detailed manner. Once the testing is completed, it is important to consult the doctor to chart out the direction of the treatment. Combination of chemotherapy and stem cell transplant is administered in varying degrees to the patients according to their requirements and specifications. Clinical trial medications can play a very important role in treating the disease and sometimes they are quite successful in alleviating the symptoms. One can add Palliative care improve the quality of life of the patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS.
If Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS Treatment Fails
If the treatment is not having effect on the patient with myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS, it suggests that the disease has entered the terminal stage. There are situations when the medicine is not able to carry out the recovery procedure.
Diagnosis and breaking the news to the patient is an emotionally painful process. It is vital to conduct detailed discussion with the doctor about the positive and negative outcome of the treatment. One should also express the concerns and insecurities to the doctors so they could help with suggestions and advices. Patient with myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS should be free from the physical pain and anxiety in an impeccable manner to enhance the quality of life.
Prognosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS
Prognosis for myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS is decided by the doctors using the survival rates charts. Patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS might survive for a week or may last for few years. Median survival rate is low which is in the vicinity of 15 to 30 months. In 25% cases, myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS is known to have progressed significantly. Bone marrow failure can cause the death in the patient.
Good prognosis factors for myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS:
- If the patient is young the chances of survival are better.
- Neutropenia is restricted to the moderate category.
- Moderate level of thrombocytopenia.
- Presence of low blast or no blast in the blood stream.
Poor prognosis factors for myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS:
- People who are aged.
- Severe stage of thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.
- Abnormally large number of blasts in the blood.
- Abnormality in the chromosomal pattern.
Survival Rates for Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS
Doctors should reveal the survival rates to the patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS only when they are comfortable. Some people do not like to listen to the prediction because it can impact the psyche to a great extent. They can benefit a lot more if the prognosis is not provided to the patients.
Median survival is related to the outcome of the treatment and the eventual survival of the patient with myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. It is considered to be the average number of the patients who have survived and similar numbers who have not. The data is collected on a range of patients to provide realistic estimates. Better treatment options mean better chances of survival for the myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS patient.
International Prognostic Scoring System or IPSS system data survival rates is provided below for the benefit of the readers:
International Prognostic Scoring System IPSS Risk Group | Median Survival | |
---|---|---|
Low risk | 5.7 years | |
Stage 1 | 3.5 years | |
Stage 2 | 1.2 years | |
High level risk | 5 months | |
Colon Cancer IIIB | 69 percent |
WHO Prognostic Scoring System or WPSS is an important parameter that can provide detailed survival rates to the patients in an impeccable manner. The data was released in the year 2007 for the physicians.
WHO Prognostic Scoring System or WPSS Risk Group | Median Survival | Risk of Leukemia (within 5 years)* |
---|---|---|
Very low risk | 12 years | About 3% |
Low level of risk | 5.5 years | Approximately 14% |
Intermediate level | 4 years | About 33% |
High level of risk | 2 years | About 54% |
Very high risk | 9 months | About 84% |
Lifestyle Changes recommended for Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS
There are some lifestyle changes which are recommended for myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. Due to lower level of white blood cells, people are prone to infections. Certain steps are taken to alleviate the symptoms.
- Washing your hands is a mandatory lifestyle change required for myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. Wash the hands with lukewarm water and soap in order to eliminate the bacterial and viral infection in an easy and hassle free manner. Sanitizer with alcohol can go a long way in delivering impeccable results to the users.
- Take care with food is a crucial lifestyle change for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. Food and meat should be cooked in a proper manner. Do not eat fruits that you are unable to peel because they would cause more harm than good in the long run.
- Avoiding people who are ill. People suffering from myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS should not come into contact with individuals who are infected with other diseases.
Prevention of Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS
People should leave smoking as it prevents the instances of heart problem and myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS. Doctors are trying to find ways through which it is possible to help the patients who have undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Certain types of drugs could be the primary reasons leading to the spread of myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS in the body. In addition, individuals should prevent themselves from exposing to harmful chemicals as they might cause myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS.
Also Read:
- What is Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Causes, Types, Signs, Symptoms
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Staging, Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatments: Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Bone Marrow Transplant
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes or MDS: Treatment for Side Effects, Children with MDS
- Coping with Myelodysplastic Syndromes & its Follow-Up Care