What is MDS?

MDS, or myelodysplastic syndrome, is a collection of disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells.

Normally, the bone marrow produces three major types of blood: red blood cells (which carry oxygen to the blood), white blood cells (which help the body fight infections), and platelets (which help blood clot).

MDS is not considered a cancer. However, some forms of MDS can progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of cancer.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a malignancy that arises in either granulocytes or monocytes which are white blood cells that battle infectious agents throughout the body. AML is not inherited or contagious. It develops when there is a defect in the immature cells in the bone marrow.

www.leukemia-web.org/mds-myelodysplastic-syndrome.htm

Related info www.nurseminerva.co.uk/myelofib.htm

1-21-05