Expert Video - How often could I need a blood transfusion for MDS-related anemia?

MDS experts, Dr Rafael Bejar and Dr Casey O’Connell describe how often a patient might need a blood transfusion for MDS-related anemia. Generally, two units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) can last a patient for four weeks. Unfortunately, over time there are factors that can reduce the success or longevity of blood transfusions in some patients. For example, some patients can develop antibodies to the transfused RBCs, thus requiring blood transfusions every two weeks instead of four. The experts also address the opposite case, where some patients with only mild anemia can function on a single unit of blood and may not need a transfusion for a couple of months.

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Other Modules:

Management and Treatment of MDS

Mutation-Driven Therapy in MDS

Understanding Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Understanding MDS-related Anemia

Understanding Erythropoiesis

Diagnosis of MDS

Understanding Genetic Mutations in MDS

Blood and Marrow Transplantation in MDS

Understanding Clinical Trials in MDS

Including Everyone in Clinical Trials for MDS

Animation - Managing and Treating MDS-related Anemia

Slide Show - Managing and Treating MDS-related Anemia

Expert Videos

1. What are the treatment options for MDS-related anemia?

2. What are the goals of treatment for MDS-related anemia?

3. How is higher-risk MDS-related anemia treated?

$What is “refractory anemia” and “primary anemia”? Are these terms still in use?$

4. What is “refractory anemia” and “primary anemia”? Are these terms still in use?

5. When do people with MDS-related anemia need blood transfusions?

6. How often could I need a blood transfusion for MDS-related anemia?

7. Are blood transfusions safe? Are there risks?

8. What is iron overload, and how it is treated?

9. Can my bone marrow return to normal and produce its own red blood cells?

10. What new treatments are in development for MDS-related anemia?

11. Are there clinical trials for MDS-related anemia? What does the future hold?

12. What treatment questions should I ask my doctor about my MDS?

13. When is a blood and marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) used for MDS-related anemia?

Patient Videos

14. Abby’s story: What has been the biggest challenge with your MDS-related anemia?

15. Barry’s story: What has been the biggest challenge with your MDS-related anemia?

16. Bill’s story: What has been the biggest challenge with your MDS-related anemia?

17. Abby’s story: What has been the greatest success and greatest challenge with your MDS-related Anemia treatment?

18. Barry’s story: What has been the greatest success and greatest challenge with your MDS-related Anemia treatment?

19. Bill’s story: What has been the greatest success and greatest challenge with your MDS-related Anemia treatment?

20. Abby’s story: What advice do you have for other patients on their journey with MDS-related anemia?

21. Barry’s story: What advice do you have for other patients on their journey with MDS-related anemia?

22. Bill’s story: What advice do you have for other patients on their journey with MDS-related anemia?

This educational activity has been developed by the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation, Inc. and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Acceleron Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda Oncology.

This website is part of the Animated Patient™ series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.