MDS Patient & Family Report

Prof. Rena Buckstein from Toronto, and Prof. Moshe Mittelman from Tel-Aviv discuss the role of blood transfusions and issues related to quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including reviewing the recent research in the field.

Prof. Akiko Shimamura of Harvard Medical School, Boston, a world known expert of pediatric hematology discusses with Prof. Guillermo Sanz ,of Valencia and Prof. Moshe Mittelman, of Tel Aviv, the various aspects of bone marrow failure including childhood MDS, the differences of this medical problem between adults and children, the unique approach to sick kids and the increasing number of promising therapeutic options

Drs. Rafael Bejar (San Diego) and Moshe Mittelman (Tel Aviv) discuss the trend towards adjusting the appropriate treatment to the particular MDS patient, a trend that is associated with higher rate of successful treatments and less toxicity. They also address several frequently asked questions.

The first episode of this program, brings a conversation between Prof. Guillermo Sanz from Valencia and Prof. Moshe Mittelman from Tel Aviv, on several issues relevant for patients, families and other stakeholders interested in myelodysplastic syndromes. First, they discuss the introduction of genetic tests into clinical practice of MDS. These tests found, for example, that at least a third of MDS patients with the TP53 mutation, do not (!) suffer from poor prognosis as previously thought. The new classification that will include genetic testing and will allow more accurate diagnosis leading to more appropriate treatment. They then answer frequently asked questions: 1) MDS might be considered as cancer, but more important is the progress towards chronicity of the disease allowing many patients prolonged life expectancy with good quality of life. 2) In a reply to another common question: MDS is basically not an inherited disease ! In >90-95%, the disease is acquired.