Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) (aka Dysmyelopoietic syndromes, Preleukemic syndromes, Oligoblastic leukemia)

The myelodysplastic syndromes present with evidence of bone marrow failure and dysplasia in one or more myeloid cell lineages, and lack enough blasts to be considered acute myeloid leukemia. They can, however, progress to AML or result in fatal marrow failure. Diagnosis may require not only phenotypic and morphologic features but also by cytogenetic features. Treatment and prognosis is widely variable, from observation only to chemotherapy to possible bone marrow transplant. Causes may include previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy and certain inherited disorders such as Fanconi's anemia. It predominates in older adults.

Differential diagnosis/complicating factors include vitamin B-12 or folic acid deficiency, exposure to heavy metals, especially arsenic, parvovirus B19 infection, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia, or even paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Unless otherwise indicated, this site uses the WHO 2001 classification system for hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues.

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