Question

I have recently had my spleen removed since my platelets were very low. I have been told that I may have some kind of myelodysplasia. Please can you give me some information on this and refer me to a site on the web where I can learn more?

Answer

I spent quite a long time searching for information on myelodysplasia in a form which would be accessible and could find nothing which would be at all helpful, and very little on the sites aimed at professionals either. It is not an easy condition to explain!

Myelodysplasia, or myelodysplastic syndrome, describes a group of disorders, all characterised by unexplained anaemia, and abnormalities of certain of the blood cells such as platelets and white blood cells. The platelets are involved in blood clotting and the white blood cells are involved in the body's response to infection.

The primary problem is with the bone marrow, which is where all our blood cells are produced. The bone marrow produces what are called precursor cells which then mature into the different components of the blood once in the circulation. In myelodysplastic syndrome the bone marrow is overproducing these immature cells, which then "flood" the circulation, hence the anaemia, due to problems with red blood cells, and abnormalities in other types of blood cells.

Symptoms are variable depending on the type of cell line affected, but include fatigue and weakness, abnormal bleeding and bruising, fever, lack of appetite, weight loss and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen due to an enlarged spleen.

Treatment and the outcome of the illness depends on the type of cell line most affected, so this must be discussed with your specialist who will know the details of your condition.