A doctor talks to a patient while his wife stands beside him

Myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS are conditions that can occur when the normally healthy blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become abnormal. When these cells become abnormal, problems arise making new blood cells. MDS is a complex condition with multiple subtypes that can affect patients in different ways.

Choosing a Myelodysplastic Syndrome Specialist in Florida

For about one in three patients, myelodysplastic syndrome can progress to a rapidly growing cancer of bone marrow cells called acute myeloid leukemia or AML. The Malignant Hematology Program at Moffitt has one of the largest MDS treatment centers in the nation. Our multispecialty team provides comprehensive and individualized treatment plans for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

Latest Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatments

At Moffitt, our malignant hematology team provides an extensive range of treatment options for myelodysplastic syndrome. In most cases, patients receive a series of high-dose chemotherapy followed by a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. The exact treatment plan will depend on the patient’s unique diagnosis. Options may include one of a combination of the following MDS therapies:

Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted therapy
Stem cell and bone marrow transplants
Blood transfusions

Our multispeciality team can also match patients with active clinical trials in which the effectiveness of innovative treatments is compared to that of existing therapies.

Supportive and Emotional Care

Myelodysplastic syndrome patients have full access to a range of supportive care in the same location as their treatment. These services, some of which are also available to caregivers, include:

Psychosocial counseling
Side effect management
Dietary advice
Support groups
Chaplaincy and spiritual care

Why Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Choose Moffitt

As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, Moffitt is at the forefront of myelodysplastic syndrome treatment. This distinction speaks of our commitment to cancer research and our robust clinical trial program, aimed at discovering new, innovative treatments for MDS among other cancers.

Traveling to Moffitt

Patients and their caregivers who are traveling from throughout Florida for MDS treatment have access to overnight lodging if needed. Moffitt has partnered with nearby hotels that provide discounted rates and shuttle service to and from Moffitt.

We also have several locations throughout the Tampa Bay area that offer some flexibility with scheduling, in addition to established partnerships with Memorial Healthcare System and AdventHealth.

Virtual Visits

Virtually scheduled visits from the comfort of your own home may be an option for follow-up appointments, pre-visit information sessions, medication review and more. Your treatment team can explain your options.

To discuss an MDS diagnosis or treatment options with the malignant hematology team at Moffitt, call 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form. We provide every new patient access to a cancer expert within one day.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatment in Florida