100 Questions & Answers About Myelodysplastic Syndromes

by Jason Gotlib, Lenn Fechter

Overview

Newly revised and updated, 100 Questions&Answers About Myelodysplastic Syndromes provides authoritative and practical answers to the most common questions asked by patients and their loved ones. What is myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)? What causes MDS? Is MDS hereditary, and will I give it to my children?Written by experts in the field, and with commentary from actual patients, this guide is the only text available to provide both the doctor's and patient's views.100 Questions&Answers About Myelodysplastic Syndromes is an invaluable resource for anyone struggling with the medical, physical, and emotional turmoil of this disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781284103946
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	06/16/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	194
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Stanford Cancer Center

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction ix

Part 1 The Basics 2

Questions 1-11 provide background on how blood cells are formed and what happens in MDS, including:

What are myelodysplastk syndromes (MDS)?

How common is MDS?

What causes MDS?

Part 2 Diagnosis, Classification, and Prognosis 17

Questions 12-20 describe the steps leading to a diagnosis of MDS, such as:

Is MDS one disease or a syndrome of similarly related diseases?

How is MDS diagnosed?

What is involved in a bone marrow biopsy? What information does the biopsy provide?

Part 3 Symptoms and Treatment Options 43

Questions 21-29 discuss common symptoms of MDS and the treatment options available, including:

How is response evaluated in MDS?

What are the most common presenting symptoms in MDS?

What factors are weighed when evaluating specific treatment options for MDS?

Part 4 Treatment, Supportive Care, and Side Effects 59

Questions 30-68 describe specific treatments, supportive care, and side effects with such questions as:

What is the difference between treatment and supportive care? What are the components of each option?

When do I need a red blood cell transfusion?

What does it mean if I develop antibodies to red blood cells or platelet transfusions?

Part 5 Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplantation 113

Questions 69-73 discuss stem cell and bone marrow transplantation with questions such as:

What is stem cell transplantation?

What are the different types of stem cell transplantation?

What factors are considered when evaluating a patient for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation?

Part 6 Clinical Trials and Experimental Treatments 125

Questions 74-79 describe participation in experimental treatments, including:

What other medications have been evaluated in MDS?

What is an investigational drug?

Am I a candidate for a clinical trial?

Part 7 Managing Your Health 137

Questions 80-100 address topics of day-to-day concern, including:

How do I choose a hematologist?

Should I get a second opinion?

What precautions are necessary with a diagnosis of MDS?

Additional Resources 167

Glossary 175

Index 183