Panama's President diagnosed with rare blood disorder

Panama City: The President of Panama Laurentino Cortizo revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome, although the 69-year-old said he feels well and is in “good spirits” and would be seeking a second medical opinion. 

In late May, Cortizo’s doctors detected “a decrease in hemoglobin and white blood cell count” during routine testing, the president said in a televised statement.

Specialists recommended that a bone marrow biopsy be performed, and samples were sent to a US laboratory, and he was diagnosed with “intermediate risk” myelodysplastic syndrome.

According to the American Cancer Society, Myelodysplastic syndrome is considered a type of cancer that hinders the production of healthy blood cells in bone marrow.

Despite the diagnosis, the 69-year-old said that his doctors considered him to be in "excellent general condition".

Cortizo said he will undergo a second evaluation in the US city of Houston in July to find out the extent of the disease.

According to doctors, this type of cancer causes a decrease in hemoglobin, and abnormal levels of platelets and white blood cells, making the patient feel tired and weak, and leading to weight loss.

Life expectancy, which will depend on the specific type of cancer Cortizo has, can range “from six months to 15 years.

As per medical experts, the disease can be caused “by a genetic disorder that develops silently and appears after the age of 60”. 

Treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome can range from blood transfusions to chemotherapy or stem cell transplants, according to the UK-based National Health Service. 

However, Cortizo did not specify if he would receive treatment.