If you or a loved one were diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, myelodysplasia or MDS cancer after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Camp Lejeune myelodysplastic syndrome lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of Camp Lejeune injury attorneys and class action lawyers is investigating potential lawsuit cases and settlement claims of individuals who were diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, myelodysplasia or MDS cancer after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood cancers in which immature blood stem cells in the bone marrow are abnormal (dysplastic) and are unable to mature into healthy blood cells, resulting in a low number of red blood cells, white blood cells or blood platelets.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has estimated that almost 58,000 people in the U.S. are living with myelodysplastic syndrome with more than 15,000 new MDS cases diagnosed each year. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune may be linked to the development of myelodysplastic syndrome.
Camp Lejeune Myelodysplastic Syndrome Lawsuit
Camp Lejeune myelodysplastic syndrome lawsuit and settlement cases potentially being investigated include claims of individuals who were diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, myelodysplasia or MDS cancer after being exposed to Camp Lejeune contaminated water between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, including:
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Myelodysplasia
- MDS cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndrome with single-lineage dysplasia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome with multilineage dysplasia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome with ring sideroblasts
- Myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts
- Myelodysplastic syndrome, unclassifiable
- Pre-leukemia
- Smoldering leukemia
- Other blood cancer lawsuit claim
- Other Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuit case
Camp Lejeune MDS Myelodysplasia Injury Cases
Several studies have reported a possible link between the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune and myelodysplastic syndromes.
According to a National Research Council (NRC) study assessing the potential long-term health effects for individuals who served at Camp Lejeune during the period of water contamination, found evidence of an association with exposure to TCE, PCE, or solvent mixtures (i.e., toxins found in the water at Camp Lejeune) and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Other studies have found support for the association between both benzene and vinyl chloride (two of the other contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune) and the development of myelodysplastic syndromes. In fact, one study found that even relatively low-level exposure to benzene was associated with an increased risk of MDS.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome can include:
- Feeling tired or fatigued
- Shortness of breath
- Anemia
- Low red blood cell count
- Leukopenia
- Low white blood cell count
- Bleeding disorders
- Infections
- Unusual paleness (pallor)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Pinpoint-sized red spots under skin (petechiae)
- Dizziness
- Other myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms
Tools and procedures used by doctors (e.g., hematologists or oncologists) to diagnose myelodysplastic syndrome can include physical exam, family/medical history, blood tests (to check the size, shape, appearance and number of red and white blood cells and platelets), blood smear, flow cytometry, cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry, bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration, among others.
MDS Cancer Complications
MDS cancer complications can potentially include anemia (low red blood cell count), recurrent infections, neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell), thrombocytopenia (excessive or abnormal bruising or bleeding), acquired hemoglobin H disease, pancytopenia (i.e., all types of blood cell counts are low), autoimmune abnormalities, increased risk of other cancers such as leukemia (e.g., acute myeloid leukemia or AML) and/or death, among others.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatment
Since there is currently no cure for myelodysplastic syndromes, treatment typically involves managing symptoms, preventing complications and slowing progression of the MDS cancer, including blood transfusions, medications (to increase blood cell production, stimulate blood cell maturation, treat infections, etc.), chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant, among others.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, myelodysplasia or MDS cancer after being exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Camp Lejeune myelodysplastic syndrome lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact an injury lawyer to request a free case review.
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