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Age and past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy affect the risk of a myelodysplastic syndrome.
Source: Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: October 4, 2024 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Not every person with one or more of these risk factors will develop myelodysplastic syndromes, and they will develop in people who don't have any known risk factors. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors for myelodysplastic syndromes include the following:
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Past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.
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Being exposed to certain chemicals, including tobacco smoke, pesticides, fertilizers, and solvents such as benzene.
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Being exposed to heavy metals, such as mercury or lead.
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The cause of myelodysplastic syndromes in most patients is not known.
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice