Mark & Associates, P.C. Attorneys At Law

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): Devastating Disease Caused by Benzene Exposure

If you have worked with or around the toxic industrial solvent benzene, you face an increased risk of developing Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a group of conditions affecting blood cell production. MDS is a category of several blood diseases and anemia that may carry risk of transforming into the blood cancer Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). While MDS can develop without external causes, prolonged exposure to benzene, typically in industrial workplace settings, is considered a contributing factor to developing the disease.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndrome, you may have important legal rights. If you were exposed to benzene in the workplace, your MDS may be due to benzene’s toxic effects on your body. You or your family may be entitled to receive financial compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages. Call 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) or fill out our online form to learn about the legal options for MDS patients.

What is MDS?

MDS is a group of diseases which affect blood-forming cells inside bone marrow. If you have MDS, your bone marrow is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and blood platelets. About 10,000 to 15,000 people are diagnosed with MDS in the United States each year. More than 80% are people over age 60, and the disorder is more common in men than in women, but MDS can affect people of any age, race, or gender. About one third of MDS cases progress to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, or AML.

What Causes MDS?

Risk factors for MDS include prolonged exposure to benzene, smoking cigarettes, and some cancer-fighting drugs. Benzene was once widely used as an industrial solvent and a gasoline additive, but its use has been greatly reduced in recent years. However, it remains a leading cause of MDS.

The most common causes of MDS include:

• Long-term exposure to benzene, an industrial chemical commonly used in gasoline, detergents, cigarettes, furniture polish and other products
• Exposure to radiation, heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers
• Prior cancer treatments, including the chemotherapy drugs mechlorethamine, procarbazine and chlorambucil
• Past stem cell transplant procedures that were followed by high doses of chemotherapy drugs

Is There a Cure for MDS?

To date, there is no cure or effective method of treating MDS. Instead, physicians usually focus on reducing complications of the disease. In rare cases of MDS involving young patients, a bone marrow transplant may be a possible treatment option.

Call Now for a Free Legal Consultation

If you have developed MDS as the result of being exposed to benzene, you may have important legal rights. You may be eligible to receive financial compensation. The aggressive, dedicated, and experienced attorneys at Mark & Associates, P.C., will fight for you and your family to achieve the best possible legal outcome in your case. Please contact Mark & Associates, P.C. today for a free consultation about your potential MDS case. Call 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) or fill out the case inquiry form on this page.