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A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition. It is possible to develop MDS with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing MDS. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
Because bone marrow is rapidly and continuously producing new cells, it is one of the most sensitive tissues in your body. This high rate of cell production makes it susceptible to both radiation and toxic damage. Factors that may affect your risk of MDS include the following:
Cumulative doses of radiation increase the risk of MDS. Such radiation may be used to treat the following types of cancer:
Atomic bomb survivors, who were exposed to high doses of radiation, developed MDS at a rate 20-25 times greater than the average.
Prolonged exposure to certain drugs and chemicals increases the risk of MDS:
MDS may also occur in people who have taken immunosuppressive agents (for the treatment of aplastic anemia ) or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor or G-CSF (for the treatment of congenital leukopenia). However, due to the complexity of these conditions and their treatments, the relationship of MDS to these medications is not clearly defined.
Weak associations have been reported between the development of MDS and cigarette smoking and the use of hair dye, but definite causal relationships are unconfirmed.
People with certain inherited genetic defects are at a substantially greater risk of developing MDS:
References:
Castro-Malaspina H, O’Reilly RJ. Aplastic anemia and the myelodysplastic syndromes. In: Kasper DL, Harrison TR. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.
Silverman LR. Myelodysplastic syndrome. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/ . Accessed November 30, 2002.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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