The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the leading source of information and support for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, in collaboration with CancerCare, is offering a free telephone workshop entitled, Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Other Myeloproliferative Disorders. The program is scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, 2004, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET.

The program will feature leukemia expert Elihu Estey, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Department of Leukemia, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Estey will deliver an overview of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other myeloproliferative disorders, and discuss: treatment options; the role of clinical trials; symptom management; quality of life issues; and how to effectively communicate with your healthcare provider. A question-and-answer period will follow.

"The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome may provoke a profound emotional response. A lack of understanding of what's in store, and what's next should be met by thoughtful, straight forward, and frequent discussions between physician, nurse, patient, and family," explains Robin Kornhaber, M.S.W., the Society's senior vice president of patient services. "We strongly encourage patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to participate in this comprehensive program."

The program is approved for 0.1 Continuing Education Unit for social workers upon verification of completion. The program is supported by an education grant from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and will be archived at lls/MDS.

Registration

Register online at lls/MDS or go to cancercare and click on Teleconferences. Registrants will receive a packet of information and dial-in instructions.

About Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases that originate in an early blood-forming cell in the marrow. In patients with this disorder, the marrow produces too few red blood cells, white blood cells and, in many cases, platelets. In MDS, the maturing blood cells often die in the marrow before they reach full maturity and enter the blood, accounting for the low blood cell concentrations. There may also be an accumulation of very immature marrow cells, called leukemic blast cells. The severity of the marrow cell disturbance is varied and can range from mild to severe.

The disease may be indolent or chronic and be manifest primarily as mild anemia; it may have severe decreases in red and white blood cells and platelets and be more troublesome; or, it may have severe decreases in blood cells and have leukemic blast cells in the marrow and be even more threatening to the health of the patient. In addition, the disease can progress such that the leukemic blast cells take over the marrow and the disease evolves into acute myelogenous leukemia. The marked decrease in blood cell formation makes it difficult for patients to prevent or fight infection and it predisposes them to exaggerated bleeding.

The annual incidence of new cases of MDS in the United States is not known. There are about 10,000 cases of acute myelogenous leukemia each year and about 5,000 cases of unclassified leukemia. The annual incidence of MDS may be in the range of 4,000 to 6,000 cases per year.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 812,000 contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals through services provided at its home office and by its 63 chapters nationwide.

For more information about blood cancer, visit LLS or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572 or via e-mail Infocenterlls, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society