Life Expectancy with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) 

The life expectancy for someone with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. On average, many patients live with MDS for several years. However, in some cases, the disease can progress rapidly and become life-threatening within a short period of time. It's important to note that these are averages and individual prognosis can vary.

What Factors Affect Prognosis for Myelodysplastic Syndrome?

Several key factors influence the prognosis for someone with MDS:

• Age: Older patients generally have a poorer prognosis than younger ones.
• Type of MDS: There are several subtypes of MDS, some of which are more aggressive than others.
• Blood counts: Low blood counts, particularly low red blood cell counts, can indicate a poorer prognosis.
• Genetic changes: Certain genetic mutations can affect the prognosis of MDS.
• Prior treatment with chemotherapy or radiation: Patients who have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation for other cancers have a higher risk of developing a more aggressive form of MDS.

Understanding how these factors interact can help patients and their healthcare teams better anticipate the course of the disease.

What are the Statistics on Life Expectancy for MDS?

Survival statistics are useful tools for understanding the general prognosis of MDS. According to the American Cancer Society, median survival times for patients with MDS vary based on the subtype. For example, patients with low-risk MDS might have a median survival time of up to 5.5 years, while those with high-risk MDS may have a median survival time of less than a year. However, it’s essential to recognize that these are median values, meaning that half of the patients will live longer than the median time, while the other half may have a shorter survival time.

While survival statistics cannot provide an exact prediction of individual outcomes or how long someone will live, they can offer some insight into the likelihood of treatment success. It's important to note that not everyone may be interested in digging into these statistics, and that's perfectly okay. It's a personal choice whether to explore this information or not, but many patients find it helpful in their decision-making. 

What Should I Consider When Looking at Statistics? 

• Outdated Data: The numbers provided are based on patients diagnosed with MDS in the past. Recent advancements in treatment may result in better outcomes for individuals currently diagnosed with MDS.
• Prognostic Scores: Offer a more detailed perspective on life expectancy by considering various factors like MDS type, specific blood test results, and certain chromosome changes in abnormal cells. However, other factors such as age, overall health, and treatment response can also impact the prognosis. Some statistics are based on prognostic scores. 

To read our comprehensive article on staging and classification of MDS, click here. 

Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) Risk Groups

This system was established before important MDS treatment advances in chemotherapy were available, but it is still relevant because the IPSS-R is based on cytogenetic abnormalities, age, blood tests like complete blood count, and the blasts percentage found in a bone marrow biopsy. 

According to the IPSS-R if you were diagnosed with very low risk the median overall survival is 8.8 years contrasting to very high risk which is 0.8 years. It is very important to consider that this estimate was calculated before many current clinical trials (with the main objective of prolonging life expectancy and quality of life) were started. Most of these trials are focused on high-risk and very-high-risk MDS patients. 

WHO Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS) Risk Groups 

WPSS can also be used to predict outcome, median survival and the chance that the MDS will transform into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within 5 years. These statistics were published in 2007 based on patients diagnosed between 1982 and 2004.

According to the WPSS the median overall survival for very low-risk MDS is 11.8 years with 3% risk of developing AML in 5 years. Compared to very-high-risk where the median survival is 9 months and has an 84% risk of developing AML in 5 years. 

It is important to know that a prognostic score does not guarantee that time will be exactly what is predicted. Many factors, including new drugs, clinical trials, and better understandings of risk can affect prognosis, so you should not be discouraged with high-risk or very-high-risk MDS diagnosis. 

The Role of Advancements in Treatment

In summary, survival statistics provide valuable insight into the general prognosis of a specific cancer type, but they should be interpreted cautiously. Recent advancements in MDS treatment may yield better outcomes than older statistics suggest.

Prognostic scoring systems, such as IPSS-R and WPSS, consider various factors like cytogenetics, age, and blood tests to predict survival and risk of progression to AML. However, it's crucial to remember that these scores do not guarantee individual outcomes, and ongoing clinical trials and advancements in medication aim to improve survival and delay AML transformation.

It's important to stay hopeful and consult with healthcare professionals for the most accurate and up-to-date information on MDS prognosis and available treatments.

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