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Bailie,
I think that the answer to your question is that once they figure out the trigger, the disease can be cured.
Therapy-related MDS and environmental related MDS both seem to have some degree of explanation, but even here, the root cause of why some people get it and others don't is unknown. People who have been exposed to prior chemotherapy, particularly alkylating agents used with auto-transplants, and other cancer treatments have a higher rate of MDS than the general population. People who have prolonged exposure to benzene also seem to have higher rates of MDS - so this includes mechanics, fuel delivery and processing folks, and yes, even smokers. Another strongly suspected cause that is exposure to agent orange.
One other circulating theory is that there is an immune response at some time in your body that never shuts down. Swedish researchers found that people that had frequent pneumonia or bronchitis had elevated risk of MDS. I think the number they used was 6 times over their lives.
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MDS RCMD w/grade 2-3 fibrosis. Allo-MUD Feb 26, 2014. Relapsed August 2014. Free and clear of MDS since November 2014 after treatment with Vidaza and Rituxan. Experiencing autoimmune attack on CNS thought to be GVHD, some gut, skin and ocular cGVHD. Neuropathy over 80% of body.
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