[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/are-myelodysplastic-syndromes-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-provide-the-answer\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/are-myelodysplastic-syndromes-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-provide-the-answer\/","headline":"Are Myelodysplastic Syndromes Cancer? 2 RCCA Oncologists Provide the Answer\u2028","name":"Are Myelodysplastic Syndromes Cancer? 2 RCCA Oncologists Provide the Answer\u2028","description":"Are Myelodysplastic Syndromes Cancer? 2 RCCA Oncologists Provide the Answer\u2028 July 28, 2025 Being diagnosed with a disease is always concerning, but in the case of myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, the news can be confusing, as well. Are these hematologic conditions forms of cancer, or are they instead potential precursors of cancer, such as intestinal […]","datePublished":"2025-07-28","dateModified":"2025-08-06","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"ceastway","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","width":506,"height":228}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-holding-hands-with-a-Myelodysplastic-Syndromes-patient.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-holding-hands-with-a-Myelodysplastic-Syndromes-patient.jpg","height":1299,"width":2309},"url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/are-myelodysplastic-syndromes-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-provide-the-answer\/","about":["All Cancers"],"wordCount":1944,"keywords":["News & Events"],"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre Myelodysplastic Syndromes Cancer? 2 RCCA Oncologists Provide the Answer\u2028\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuly 28, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeing diagnosed with a disease is always concerning, but in the case of myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, the news can be confusing, as well. Are these hematologic conditions forms of cancer, or are they instead potential precursors of cancer, such as intestinal polyps that over time may become malignant and cause colon cancer?Two medical oncologists\/hematologists who practice with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of cancer specialists serving patients at locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area, addressed that question and related issues in a recent interview.\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cWhile MDS remains a serious disease, both in its own right and due to the risk of progression to AML, people diagnosed with the condition have more options \u2014 and more cause for hope \u2014 than ever before.\u201d \u2014 May Abdo-Matkiwsky, DO\u201cThe short \u2013 and unfortunate \u2013 answer is that myelodysplastic syndromes are, indeed, cancer,\u201d says May Abdo-Matkiwsky, DO, who practices at RCCA\u2019s Sparta, NJ, office and who has a practice emphasis on MDS along with breast cancer and other solid tumors and cancers of the blood and blood-forming tissues. She adds, \u201cPeople\u2019s uncertainty on this score is understandable. In fact, for many years, physicians debated the issue of whether these syndromes represented outright cancer or instead were risk factors for acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. However, as research provided more insights into the biology of the conditions, their progression, and how they affect people, it became clear that we were dealing with one type of cancer that also had the potential to transform into an even-more aggressive type of cancer, AML.\u201dJoseph McLaughlin, MD, who practices at RCCA\u2019s Manchester, CT, office, explains, \u201cMore than 90% of our blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, a spongy material that contains special blood-forming cells, including blood stem cells. When these blood stem cells become abnormal \u2013 or dysplastic, in medical terminology \u2013 they may not make enough blood cells, or the cells that they do produce may be defective. As a result, people may be deprived of a sufficient amount of properly functioning red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, white blood cells to fight infection, or platelets to help blood clot and control bleeding. In keeping with the roles that those different types of blood cells play, the first signs of MDS may be anemia, reflecting a low red blood cell count; infections due to inadequate white cells; or abnormal bleeding or bruising arising from having too few platelets. However, MDS may cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms in its early stages, and many people are diagnosed when we investigate surprising findings on blood work ordered as part of a routine wellness check.\u201d\u201cThe last several years have seen a significant increase in the number of treatments effective in managing myelodysplastic syndromes.\u201d \u2014 Joseph McLaughlin, MDDiagnosing and Categorizing MDSWhen a person\u2019s symptoms or blood work raises the possibility of MDS, doctors typically begin their evaluation by taking a detailed history and performing a comprehensive physical examination.In terms of risk factors that physicians ask about in taking a history, Dr. Abdo-Matkiwsky explains, \u201cExtended exposure to benzene and other chemicals common to the petroleum industry and agricultural work increases a person\u2019s chances of developing MDS, as does having received radiation therapy or certain forms of chemotherapy for prior cancers. Several rare genetic syndromes also are associated with MDS. However, most people diagnosed with the condition do not have those risk factors. Smoking also raises the odds of developing MDS. Age is a consideration, with MDS most often being diagnosed in people in their 70s or 80s. Further, men appear to be at somewhat higher risk than women. Having a close relative who was diagnosed with MDS also is a risk factor.\u201d1Dr. McLaughlin says that the evaluation of potential MDS generally includes a complete blood count (CBC) and a peripheral blood smear to look for indicators of the condition and to rule out other possible causes. He explains that when MDS is suspected, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, in which samples of the marrow are obtained by insertion of a hollow needle, typically at the hip, are critical for obtaining the tissue needed for pathologists to evaluate cells under a microscope and by other means, including sophisticated genetic analyses.What Happens After MDS Is Detected?\u201cIf MDS is identified, the next step is to draw on the information obtained by evaluating those blood and bone marrow samples to classify the condition,\u201d says Dr. McLaughlin, who treats MDS and other cancerous and benign blood disorders as well as solid tumors in his practice. He explains that the morphology (or microscopic appearance) of blood cells and the presence or absence of various genetic abnormalities, among other factors, enable hematologists and pathologists to assign a risk category to the patient\u2019s MDS and formulate treatment plans accordingly. He adds that the prognosis for MDS varies based on this risk assessment. \u201cThe latest statistics shared by the American Cancer Society show that median survival for someone with very low risk disease \u2013 as determined by a widely used scoring system \u2013 is more than 10 years, while that number drops to 1.7 years for someone with high-risk MDS.2 However, I want to emphasize that these statistics are derived from data gathered over the course of many years. Based on the latest scientific literature and my own clinical experience, I believe that the outlook across the spectrum of MDS has improved considerably just in the last five years or so.\u201dTreatment Goals and Options for MDS\u201cThe treatment goals for MDS include preserving the patient\u2019s health and quality of life, prolonging life, and reducing the likelihood that the condition will progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which eventually occurs in about one-third of cases,\u201d3 says Dr. Abdo-Matkiwsky. The cancer specialist adds that when a person has low-risk MDS \u2013 meaning that the condition is not likely to transform into AML \u2013 initial management may be limited to treating the consequences of MDS, such as the anemia that can cause fatigue, the low white cell counts (neutropenia) that increase infection risk, and the low platelet numbers that result in excessive bleeding or bruising. \u201cIn these cases, we customize our supportive care to the individual\u2019s specific needs, and can draw on blood transfusions and other interventions, as needed, for anemia and thrombocytopenia, the use of growth factors to increase white cells or platelets, and other approaches,\u201d Dr. Abdo-Matkiwsky adds. Comprehensive care of MDS also involves ensuring that the patient has received all appropriate vaccinations to reduce the risk of developing an infection such as influenza and educating the person to promptly contact his or her primary care physician when antibiotics may be needed to treat an illness, she notes.When treating MDS itself is indicated based on a person\u2019s risk status or overall health, hematologists can draw on a wide range of therapies to individualize care to optimal effect, says Dr. McLaughlin. \u201cThe last several years have seen a significant increase in the number of treatments effective in managing myelodysplastic syndromes,\u201d he notes, explaining that these include hypomethylating agents and other forms of chemotherapy, immunotherapies, and a targeted agent for people whose MDS is marked by a genetic mutation known as IDH1.\u201cMy colleagues and I at RCCA have extensive experience prescribing these agents, recognizing and managing the side effects associated with them, and monitoring patients\u2019 well-being while working in close collaboration with their other physicians. This enables people to receive care in the community, close to their homes. Further, should we determine that a person would benefit from stem cell transplantation, which is the best option for some patients, we work in partnership with our colleagues at the academic medical centers that offer that treatment, providing continuity of care for the patient before, during, and following the procedure,\u201d Dr. McLaughlin says.Dr. Abdo-Matkiwsky adds, \u201cIn recent years, our understanding of MDS and our ability to identify it quickly and treat it effectively have increased dramatically. While it remains a serious disease, both in its own right and due to the risk of progression to AML, people diagnosed with the condition have more options \u2014 and more cause for hope \u2014 than ever before.Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Facts at a GlanceEstimates of new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year range from 10,000 to 20,0001,2Most commonly diagnosed in people ages 70 to 79 years1More common in men than women3Estimates of total number of people in the US with MDS \u2013 both newly diagnosed and those with established disease \u2013 range from 60,000 to 170,0002Risk factors include exposure to benzene and other industrial chemicals, radiation exposure, prior treatment with certain chemotherapies, smoking, several rare genetic conditions, and family history of the disease3++++++++Dr. Abdo-Matkiwsky and Dr. McLaughlin are among 100+ medical oncologists and hematologists who practice with RCCA at more than 20 locations near you across New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA\u2019s cancer specialists see more than 30,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 265,000 established patients, collaborating closely with those patients\u2019 other physicians. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to approximately 300\u00a0clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders, RCCA care centers also provide\u00a0infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including\u00a0multiple sclerosis,\u00a0Crohn\u2019s disease,\u00a0asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.To learn more about RCCA, call 844-346-7222 or contact us.Article ReferencesAmerican Cancer Society. Risk Factors for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/myelodysplastic-syndrome\/causes-risks-prevention\/risk-factors.html. Accessed June 11, 2025.American Cancer Society. Survival Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/myelodysplastic-syndrome\/detection-diagnosis-staging\/survival.html. Accessed June 11, 2025.The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Available at https:\/\/www.aamds.org\/diseases\/acute-myeloid-leukemia-aml. Accessed June 11, 2025.Myelodysplastic Syndromes Facts at a Glance Sources:American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/myelodysplastic-syndrome\/about\/key-statistics.html. Accessed June 11, 2025.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Research Funded by LLS. Available at https:\/\/www.lls.org\/research\/myelodysplastic-syndrome-mds-research-funded-lls. Accessed June 11, 2025.American Cancer Society. Risk Factors for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/myelodysplastic-syndrome\/causes-risks-prevention\/risk-factors.html. Accessed June 11, 2025.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twe are here for you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the\u00a0RCCA location\u00a0nearest you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequest an appointment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRELATED ARTICLES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeciding Where to Receive Cancer Care: RCCA Oncologists Outline Key 5 Considerations\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cMy uncle\u2019s neighbor was diagnosed with the exact same cancer, I think, last year and his specialist has been wonderful. I\u2019m going to get you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen You Diagnose (or Suspect) Cancer: 3 Reasons to Refer Your Patients to RCCA\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cWhat happens next?\u201d \u201cWhere should I go for treatment?\u201d They are questions physicians often hear after informing a patient that they have identified confirmed or\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Blood Work\u2019 and Cancer Detection: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain What Doctors Look for in Your CBC\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cYou\u2019re going to feel a little pinch.\u201d Each year, tens of millions of Americans hear that phrase, or words to the same effect, just before\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Are Myelodysplastic Syndromes Cancer? 2 RCCA Oncologists Provide the Answer\u2028","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/are-myelodysplastic-syndromes-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-provide-the-answer\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]