Myelodysplastic Syndrome Risk factors
Older age:
According to the MDS Foundation, 70% of the people who are suffering from myelodysplastic Syndrome are older adults with age having more than 60 years.
Prior chemotherapy treatment:
Certain cancer drugs like Cytoxan, Leukeran, Doxorubicin, Etoposide, Ifex, Alkeran, Matulane, and Vumon are known to have severe effects on bone marrow cells. The drugs used in chemotherapy treatment patients harm the healthy bone marrow cells, too, and these people have higher chances of developing myelodysplastic Syndrome. The harmful effects of these drugs usually appear 15 to 20 years after the completion of treatment.
Prior radiation therapy treatment:
Exposure to radiation for a long time can also increase the risks of the person to develop myelodysplastic Syndrome. The massive doses of radiations destroy the healthy bone marrow cells causing them to impair the maturation process of blood cells.
Inherited conditions:
Certain inherited disorders that we inherit from our parents make us more vulnerable to acquire myelodysplastic Syndrome. some of these conditions include:
- Down Syndrome
- Fanconi anemia
- Bloom syndrome
- Ataxia telangiectasia