Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy

Myelodysplastic syndrome Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Myelodysplastic syndrome from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy
CDC on Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy
Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Myelodysplastic syndrome
Risk calculators and risk factors for Myelodysplastic syndrome medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nawal Muazam M.D.[2]

Overview

Chemotherapy is recommended among all patients who develop myelodysplastic syndrome.

Medical Therapy

• Treatment is based on the type of MDS and the person's age and general health. The goal of treatment for MDS is to:
  • Relieve symptoms
  • Slow or prevent progression of the disease
  • Improve quality of life

Chemotherapy

• The most common chemotherapy drug used to treat MDS is cytarabine. Cytarabine may be combined with other pharmacological agents such as:
  • Idarubicin
  • Topotecan
  • Fludarabine
• Other chemotherapeutic agents that may be used to treat MDS include:
  • Daunorubucin
  • Mitoxantrone

Supportive Therapy

• Supportive therapy is given to relieve symptoms and lessen the problems caused by abnormal blood cell counts or treatment for MDS.

Transfusions

• Patients with anemia may receive blood transfusions to correct the red blood cell counts.
• Frequent blood transfusions can be complicated by a buildup of extra iron in the body, which is treated with drug therapy.
• Patients with bleeding problems due to low platelet counts may be given platelet transfusions.

Growth factors

• Epoetin (erythropoietin)

• Helps improve production of red blood cells

• Filgrastim

• Also called granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
• Helps improve production of white blood cells

• Pegfilgrastim

• A long-acting G-CSF

Supportive Therapy

• Other drugs that may be used to treat symptoms or side effects of therapy include:
• Deferoxamine

• treats excess iron in the blood
• sometimes given with Vitamin C.

• Lenalidomide

• decreases the need for transfusions in people with a specific chromosome change

• Antithymocyte globulin

• decreases the need for transfusions in certain types of MDS

• Antibiotics

• help to prevent or treat infections

• Hypomethylating agents, such as 5-azacytidine or decitabine

• stop cancer cells from producing DNA or RNA so the cells die

References

Template:WikiDoc Sources