As per my previous posts, I went to Manhattan to see the lymphoma guru Dr. Zelenetz two days ago. He had all the results of the bone marrow biopsy done four weeks ago.
The results are that I have some bone marrow abnormalities – specifically a hypocellular condition. Evidently about 25% of bone marrow should be devoted to producing new blood cells, but in my case only about 10% is working. The cells that are producing platelets are somewhat abnormal (but my platalet count is fine) and my hemaglobin is slightly low. But the big thing is my continuing low white blood cell count. I was at 1.8 on Wednesday, with the component they are most interested in (the “GR”) at 0.9.
On the other hand, the cyto-genetic studies evidently indicated no chromosomal abnormalities.
What’s it mean? Among other things, it means I am at heightened risk of developing something called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Dr. Zelenetz stated that I am at “intermediate” risk of contracting MDS. The disease has a variety of manifestations revolving around the fact that your bone marrow stops producing healthy blood cells, and instead you end up with abnormal cells. MDS comes in a variety of forms, ranging from indolent to aggressive.
According to the Sloan Kettering website, between 10 and 20 per cent of cases of MDS arise as a result of prior chemotherapy.
Dr. Zelenetz is arranging for me to see a hematologist at Sloan Kettering for an evaluation. I’ll be seeing her sometime in the next month. It’s not an emergency sitation by any means, but it makes sense to have a review done, now that the possibility of getting the disease is out there.
So, not great news, but it is something we will deal with.
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