|
|
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, is a condition often called "preleukemia." The syndrome can contain any number of conditions related to being unable to adequately produce blood cells, and these conditions can progress into Acute Myelogenic Leukemia (AML). Most often it is characterized by severe anemia, a weakened immune system, and weakened platelet action and impaired clotting.
Many scientists believe that MDS is proof that cancers progress in stages, given the frequency with which MDS patients go on to develop AML. It is hard to say how many people in this country have MDS because it is frequently undiagnosed, although there are some 20,000 new cases each year. The average age of onset is 65 years old, but many younger cases are being reported.
In these cases, it is frequently reported that the patient was exposed to radiation, or to hydrocarbons like benzene. People who work in the petrochemical industry have a higher risk of developing MDS than people who don't, and studies have shown clear links between benzene exposure and the development of AML. Federal laws restrict the amount of benzene a worker may be exposed to, but employers don't always comply.
If you suspect that your job may have exposed you to chemicals that caused your MDS or AML, call the Benzene Leukemia Legal Help Project. You may be able to bring suit against your employer, and there is potential for monetary compensation and punitive damages. To find out more, call our toll-free number today. Your consultation is free, and if you have a case, your legal advice will come at no cost either--so you have nothing to lose.
|
|
