Abstract
Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome （t-MDS） is a disease involving abnormal hematocytes caused by treatment for previous malignant tumours. We describe a case of t-MDS that developed after treatment for head and neck cancer. A 71-year-old man underwent chemoradiotherapy for the recurrence of oral cancer. The radiation dose was 60 Gy and combination chemotherapy was cisplatin （240mg/body, 160 mg/m2）. Pancytopenia occurred 3 months after chemoradiotherapy was completed, and t-MDS was diagnosed.
The patient is living at the present 20 months after the onset of t-MDS with administration of a long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent as supportive therapy for anemia. When pancytopenia is encountered after head and neck cancer treatment, early consultation with an expert is important in view of the possibility of t-MDS. Early start of supportive therapy after the detection of t-MDS helps maintain and improve the patient’s quality of life.
