Like the disease, MDS follow-up care varies from patient to patient. MDS patients
- Will need to see their doctors on a regular basis. The doctor will evaluate the patient’s health, blood cell counts and, possibly, bone marrow status.
- May have some tests repeated to see if they are benefiting from treatment and whether or not to continue it.
- Are advised to receive certain vaccinations, including vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available for adults: a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Immunizations using live organisms or with high viral loads, such as the herpes zoster or shingles vaccine, should not be administered. Patients who have MDS can receive the shingles vaccine Shingrix® because it is an “inactivated” rather than a “live” vaccine. Speak to your doctor for more information.
- Always need to keep good records and treatment notes. This information should include
- Doctors’ names and contact information
- Diagnosis
- Names of chemotherapy drugs taken
- Radiation treatment information
- Surgery information
- Transplant information
- Information about any other treatments
- Other medical history
Click here for information about follow-up care, including what to expect, long-term and late effects of treatment, survivorship clinics, and other resources such as The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines.
Related Links
- Download or order The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's free booklets
- Follow-Up Care and Survivorship