Bob, aged 44, was diagnosed 9 months ago with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), a rare form of blood cancer. Although Bob had no previous history of cancer, he worked in the petroleum industry for years and was exposed to high levels of benzene, which has been strongly linked to MDS. Bob needs a bone marrow transplant because the stem cells that form his blood cells do not develop properly. The bone marrow transplant can supply Bob with healthy stem cells that will produce functional blood cells. As you have learned, there are many different blood stem cells. Because of this, there are many forms of MDS. Bob has a kind that affects the stem cells for red blood cells. TTH

Bob, aged 44, was diagnosed 9 months ago with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), a rare form of blood cancer. Although Bob had no previous history of cancer, he worked in the petroleum industry for years and was exposed to high levels of benzene, which has been strongly linked to MDS. Bob needs a bone marrow transplant because the stem cells that form his blood cells do not develop properly. The bone marrow transplant can supply Bob with healthy stem cells that will produce functional blood cells. As you have learned, there are many different blood stem cells. Because of this, there are many forms of MDS. Bob has a kind that affects the stem cells for red blood cells. TTH