Video

Early Treatment for Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Many Patients Are Missing Out

Author(s):

Christopher Cogle, M.D.

Many patients with myelodysplastic syndrome are not receiving early treatment.

About two-thirds of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are not being given early treatment, according to Christopher Cogle, M.D., a professor of Medicine at the University of Florida Health.

Cogle was involved with a study that examined which patients were more likely to be treated with Vidaza (azacitidine), Dacogen (decitabine) or Revlimid (lenalidomide). While he initially thought that age and frailness would be the factors that were associated with not being treated, he actually found that it was patients with higher-risk disease, private insurance and genetic testing who were more likely to be prescribed one of the three agents.

Related Videos
Image of man with grey hair.
Image of woman with black hair.
Image of a smiling woman with brown hair.
Image of a woman with short brown hair, wearing glasses.
Image of man with brown hair.
Image of woman with blonde hair.
Image of a woman with brown shoulder-length hair, wearing a khaki colored blazer.
Image of a man wearing a black button-up shirt.
Image of man with black hair.
Image of a man with dark hair and some facial hair.
Related Content
Image of a smiling woman with brown hair.
December 20th 2024

How to Self Advocate When Insurance Says No to Cancer Treatment Coverage

Ashley Chan
When insurance denies coverage of cancer treatment, patients with cancer don’t need to take no for an answer, an expert explained.
Image of Dr. Brandon Blue.
December 17th 2024

Black Patients With Myeloma Face Taste, Skin Side Effects from Talvey

Alex Biese
Black patients may be more affected by certain side effects from Talvey compared with White patients with multiple myeloma, an expert told CURE®.
Illustration of a woman with short blonde hair, wearing dangle earrings.
December 13th 2024

Cancer Taught Me to Make the Best of Everything

Jane Biehl Ph.D.
As a survivor of MDS, I’ve learned to make the best of every day and to be thankful for life. Sometimes this means avoiding others who are less grateful.
Image of blood test.
December 10th 2024

Venclexta Plus Mavenclad Boosts Response Rates in AML, MDS

Ariana Pelosci
The Venclexta-based regimen improved complete response rates in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Illustration of blood cells.
December 7th 2024

Smoking May Be Linked With Genetic Mutations, Progression Risk in MDS

Darlene Dobkowski, MA
Results from the study also showed the potential association between smoking, disease progression and survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.
‘Too Young For Cancer’ Author on the Importance of Advocating for Yourself
December 5th 2024

‘Too Young For Cancer’ Author on the Importance of Advocating for Yourself

Alex Biese
Author and kidney cancer survivor Katie Coleman explains why patients with cancer need to advocate for themselves when navigating the medical system.