The Australasian Mastocytosis Society (TAMS)

Support, Education, Research and Advocacy for mast cell disorder patients, physicians, families & caregivers.

DONATE TO TAMS

Please help us educate and support both people with mast cell diseases (MCD) including mastocytosis, MCAS and HaT, as well as health and medical practitioners. Many people with MCD are provided with limited correct information especially when trying to adjust to their diagnosis. We seek your help with fundraising and developing these resources to make a real difference to these people’s quality of life.

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BECOME A MEMBER

TAMS is a volunteer-run, membership association. TAMS members receive discounts for TAMS conferences and events, member e-newsletters, Zoom and face-to-face support groups and more.

The TAMS committee advocates on behalf of TAMS Members to the medical community and government.

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NEED HELP?

TAMS receives a lot of emails, calls and messages from people seeking diagnosis and treatment for their mast cell diseases. We have put together some information to help you with your diagnosis and treatment journey. If you need support finding a specialist in your area, please contact us. You can also join our Patient Support Group on Facebook.

READ OUR 'NEED HELP' PAGE

LATEST NEWS AND ALERTS

Famotidine and Nizatidine Shortages 2023

This is an alert regarding Famotidine and Nizatidine, now both listed on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Medicine Shortage Reports Database (the Database). All Famotidine is currently listed as "Unavailable” with an anticipated return-to-market date of 29...

Mental Olympics: TAMS June Support Meeting wrap-up

At our June Support meeting on 24 June 2023, we discussed the challenges faced with management of our chronic illness, using the analogy of athletes preparing for the Olympics. In order to progress, an athlete can be faced with setbacks as they commence training for...

Mental Olympics: June 2023 online support group

Living with a chronic illness can feel like we are always at the beginning, both physically and mentally. No matter how many times we think we have prepared for a flare of our illness, it can seem like we have achieved little progress or improvement in the management...

A dollar makes a difference for MCDs

Did you know that you can support TAMS with just $1 on PayPal? Select TAMS as your “favourite charity” on PayPal and give $1 at checkout when making regular PayPal payments without any ongoing commitments, automatic deductions or fees.

Clinical trials in Australia

TAMS will bring you information as it becomes available on upcoming clinical trials in Australia. Blueprint Medicines Corporation's HARBOR study Two Australian hospitals are taking part in Blueprint Medicines Corporation's HARBOR study – The Alfred Hospital in...

Interview with Professor Katelaris

In this interview, David Mayne asks Professor Katelaris some of the most common patient questions related to mast cell diseases (MCD).

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TAMS Research Fund

Since its inception in 2012, TAMS has championed national and international research into mast cell diseases. But we want to do more. The TAMS Research Advisory Committee is working to develop a research grants program, to fund specific post-grad studies into mast cell disorders.

We need your help to reach our target of $30,000. We have already raised $20,000, so we are calling on you to help us raise another $10,000.

All donations received via the TAMS Donation page between now and 30 June 2024 will be allocated to the TAMS Research Fund.

Find out more about the Fund

Donate to the Fund

ABOUT TAMS

The Australasian Mastocytosis Society (TAMS) has been created as an advocacy, education and support body for those throughout Australasia who suffer from or care for those with Mastocytosis or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). TAMS has been established due to the overwhelming need for sufferers and their supporters to find a local voice and active support network.

TAMS is an independent ‘not for profit’ incorporated organisation with a committed and functional volunteer committee of individuals – all of whom are sufferers or carers – ensuring your needs will be met.

TAMS Support

We provide a network of support for patients living with mast cell disorders including Systemic Mastocytosis, Cutaneous Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and their carers.

TAMS runs online support groups for members and potential members.

Do you suffer from Mastocytosis or MCAS or HaT? Join the Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases Australasia Patient Support Group.

Carers are invited to join the Mastocytosis & Mast Cell Diseases Australasia Carer Support Group.

We connect patients

to medical practitioners and specialists with knowledge of Mastocytosis, MCAS and HaT.

We link worldwide

with associations to collectively gather research data, share resources and knowledge for greater understanding, treatment practices, medications, improved health outcomes and raising awareness globally.

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OUR VISION

Through the building of strong relationships and a greater knowledge base, expand TAMS in geographical and intellectual areas to better support an ever-expanding database of sufferers, their supporters and clinicians.

MASTOCYTOSIS

Mastocytosis has been defined as an abnormal accumulation of mast cells in one or more organ systems. Previously classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a myeloproliferative neoplasm, mastocytosis is now classified in its own category under myeloid neoplasms. Broadly separated into three categories, cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), systemic mastocytosis (SM) and mast cell sarcoma. These diseases occur in both children and adults.

CHILDREN WITH MASTOCYTOSIS

The most common form of mastocytosis in children is cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), accounting for approximately 90 percent of mastocytosis cases in this age group. The prognosis is excellent for children with CM who have onset of skin lesions within the first two years of life (most children) as spontaneous resolution or improvement is common after several years. CM that develops after the age of two years tends to persist.

MAST CELL ACTIVATION SYNDROME (MCAS)

There is an existence of a subset of mast cell disorder patients who experience episodes of mast cell activation without detectable evidence of a proliferative mast cell disorder. Some patients who exhibit symptoms of mast cell mediator release do not fulfil the criteria for SM. Diagnosis requires consistent symptoms, reported benefit with medications and diagnostic evidence of excess mast cells in tissue biopsies or abnormal mast cell mediators in blood or urine tests. This is referred to as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

HEREDITARY ALPHA TRYPTASEMIA (HαT)

HαT is a common genetic trait that affects approximately 5 per cent of populations in which it has been studied. The genetic change responsible for HαT is one or more extra copies of the TPSAB1 gene encoding the protein α-tryptase. HαT is associated with a wide range of symptoms, though causation is challenging to establish due to its prevalence. Up to two-thirds of individuals with HαT may not exhibit noticeable symptoms, while in certain situations, it can heighten anaphylaxis risk.