Hi, Tammi.
Welcome to Marrowforums. I hope we can help you and your mother.
Myelofibrosis is not technically part of the MDS family. It is classified as a myeloproliferative disease, which are a group of diseases in which the bone marrow produces extra cells. In the case of myelofibrosis, the bone marrow is gradually replaced by fibrous scar tissue, which impairs the patient's ability to make new blood cells so all of their counts tend downward. Although myelofibrosis can evolve into MDS and even co-exist with MDS, it generally has a better prognosis than either MDS or leukemia. Because all of these diseases involve the bone marrow, you will find overlaps in the drugs used to treat them.
As you can see from reading our forums, there are many members with MDS and some with myelofibrosis as well, so I hope you will feel free to post your questions here. You might also want to look at the website of the
MPD Foundation.
Regards,
Ruth Cuadra