Myelodysplastic Syndromes

We aim to offer you the most effective and innovative treatments, many available only through an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center like ours. We are also recognized as a Center of Excellence by the MDS Foundation.

Treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) vary, and we work with you to develop a personalized therapeutic plan. Our approach is multidisciplinary and includes tumor board review of challenging cases and weekly leukemia and myeloid malignancies conference to discuss individual cases, review treatment plans and assess clinical trial eligibility. Our hematologists are focused on providing access to innovative treatments and incorporating the latest research findings into better patient care, and quality of life during and after treatment.

Our multidisciplinary team approach offers several benefits to you, including:

• Access to the highest standard of care by experts specializing in MDS and related malignancies.
• Weekly review of patient cases by the full multidisciplinary team of experts.
• Coordinated scheduling for appointments among various specialties.
• Access to Winship's Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program, the largest and oldest program in Georgia.
• Availability of new treatment options within our clinical trials program.
• Access to support programs and groups for you and your caregivers.

Request an Appointment

If you have been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, we are ready to help you. Call us at (404) 778-0519 to make an appointment with one of our specialists. Winship experts are available to provide a second opinion.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Here is more information to help familiarize you with Winship and give you an idea of what to expect on your first visit.

Refer a Patient

Referring physicians, you or your staff may refer a patient by contacting us at (404) 778-0519 or via email. For information about our clinical trials, call (404) 778-1868 to speak with one of our research coordinators.

This results in fewer red blood cells (anemia) to carry oxygen through out the body, fewer white blood cells to fight and prevent infections, or fewer platelets to prevent and stop bleeding.

MDS can be challenging to diagnose. Symptoms can be similar to other conditions, including certain types of leukemia, aplastic anemia, vitamin or mineral definciencies or an overactive immune system.

Mild blood-count abnormalities found during routine blood work may signal a potential diagnosis. Simple tests such as a complete blood count or peripheral blood smear can confirm abnormalities. A bone marrow biopsy is performed to help diagnose MDS. The bone marrow biopsy includes drawing liquid containing bone marrow elements from the bone cavity and retrieving a small piece of bone material. The procedure is performed in the outpatient setting, and we have a specialized procedural clinic with highly trained providers.

Our hematopathologists are highly trained in using various approaches to study samples obtained through a bone marrow biopsy. Those include morphological assessments and molecular and cytogenetic studies, with new diagnostic procedures constantly being evaluated.

Depending on your diagnosis and the specifics of your MDS, your treatment options will vary and may include:

Blood counts monitoring: Some patients with MDS may have only mildly reduced blood cell counts or few symptoms and might not need to be treated right away.

Erythropoietin stimulating agents stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. The use of these agents for eligible patients with MDS can help to alleviate a low red blood cell count (anemia).

Erythroid maturation agents can also work to increase the number of red blood cells, but act differently than erythropoietin stimulating agents to alleviate anemia. Luspatercept, an erythroid maturation agent, was engineered to interact with endogenous transforming growth factor-beta superfamily ligands and is approved for specific subtypes of MDS.

Immunomodulatory agents impact the body’s immune system. In the treatment of MDS, the oral medication lenalidomide has been used primarily on patients with a defined subtype of MDS harboring a specific chromosomal abnormality (5q deletion).

Chemotherapy: FDA-approved chemotherapy treatments include hypomethylating agents such as azacytidine and decitabine, and the combination of decitabine and cedazuridine. Chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for MDS, but is not curative and is usually used in patients with advanced disease.

Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation: This treatment consists of destroying cancerous bone marrow cells using higher doses of chemotherapy and replacing them with healthy bone marrow or stem cells to help patients build a new and healthy immune system. Winship has pioneered many advances in bone marrow transplant procedures and drugs.

Clinical Trials

One of your best treatment options may be participation in a clinical trial. Consider talking with your doctor about participating in a clinical trial at Winship. Our patients can access some of the most advanced cancer treatments and clinical trials for MDS and acute leukemias. Contact your care team to learn of new clinical trials that may be opening soon.

Supportive Oncology Care

In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.