Hi Susan,
Some of the most common treatment options are:
1. Red blood cell transfusions – to improve energy and reduce shortness of breath
2. Platelet transfusions – to decrease risk of bleeding
3. White blood cell growth factors – injections under the skin to reduce risk of infection
4. Iron chelation medications – to reduce side effects of multiple blood transfusions
5. Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs – lenalidomide, thalidomide) – pills to increase red cell production
6. Hypomethylating agents (5-azacytadine, decitabine) – injections to improve all three blood elements and decrease leukemia risk
7. Immune therapies (anti-thymocyte globulin, Campath) – used in younger patients with empty marrows
8. Bone marrow transplantation – hospital-based treatments requiring several months of aggressive medical therapy
9. Experimental treatments on clinical trials
The decision on what to treat with is based on many things including treatment goals, blood counts, mutations, and patient preference.
We are happy to send you some additional information. If you are interested, email me at amoncrief@mds-foundation.org or give me a call at 1-800-637-0839 ext. 210.
I hope this helps!
Ashley
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