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Myelodysplastic syndrome (myelodysplasia)


It's also known as myelodysplasia.


MDS can affect people of any age, but is most common in adults over the age of 70.

What happens in MDS?



As the condition progress, your bone marrow gets gradually taken over by the immature blood cells, which don't work properly.



Main types of MDS

MDS can affect just one type of blood cell or many, depending on the type of MDS you have.

Until 2016, the types of MDS were called:



Find more information on the types and risk groups of MDS:

Symptoms of MDS


They can include:


Some people with MDS don't have any symptoms. They may find out they have MDS after having blood tests for something else.

Risk of development into leukaemia




Ask your doctor about your risk of developing AML.

Treatments for MDS




Treating your symptoms (supportive treatment)





Lenalidomide is a type of treatment known as a biological therapy. It's swallowed as a capsule and affects the way your immune system works.


Azacitidine is type of medicine known as a hypomethylating agent, which is injected under the skin.




It involves taking medicines that destroy the immature blood cells by stopping them growing. It's taken either as a tablet or an injection.


Find out more about how AML is treated


Immunosuppressant medicines, such as anti-thymocyte globulins (ATGs) and ciclosporin, can be used to suppress the immune system and can sometimes help improve blood count.

Stem cell (bone marrow) transplant


It involves replacing your abnormal blood cells with healthy cells from a donor. The healthy blood cells are fed into your bloodstream through a drip.

It can sometimes cure MDS, but isn't suitable for everyone.


It helps if you have a suitable donor in your family (a close relative, such as a brother or sister). But it's sometimes possible to have a stem cell transplant using an unrelated donor whose tissue type closely matches yours.

Find out more about having a stem cell transplant

Causes of MDS

The cause of MDS is not usually known. This is called primary MDS.



Diagnosis of MDS






Find out more about bone marrow tests on Cancer Research UK

Further support



Clinical trials

The treatment of MDS is constantly evolving and new medicines are being tested all the time.

You may be offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial.

Find out more about: