Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment and Survival Rate

April 19, 2024 

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Guido Marcucci, M.D., Chair, Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, City of Hope Duarte

A number of treatment options are available for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These may vary based on the type of MDS, the patient’s age, health and personal preference.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment

Treatments for MDS may include those listed below.

Supportive care: Treatments are used to lessen the side effects and problems caused by the syndrome. These may include blood transfusions, antibiotics and treatments to boost blood cell production.

Drug therapy: Medications may be used to help manage blood cell counts.

Chemotherapy treatment: A combination of chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells and stem cell transplants to replace blood-forming cells may be used.

Clinical trials: Some patients may qualify for clinical trials. This is a way to receive access to innovative treatments along with the highest quality of medical care.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes Survival Rate

Since myelodysplastic syndromes are so uncommon, it’s hard for researchers to determine survival rates. Survival rates are categorized by risk groups, but they are estimates based on the data available today. Each person’s circumstances are unique, so patients should consult with their doctor to learn more.

MDS survival statistics are reported as median survival by risk group. They estimate the average time that half of patients are still alive after initial diagnosis. According to the American Cancer Society, based on the World Health Organization scoring system, half of patients diagnosed with MDS are still alive in these timeframes based on risk group:

• Very low risk — 10.6 years
• Low risk — 6 years
• Moderate-low risk — 4.6 years
• Moderate-high risk — 2.8 years
• High-risk — 1.7 years
• Very high risk — 1 year

Thanks to new research developments, MDS treatment options are continually evolving. This means MDS survival rates are expected to continue to improve.