Practice Essentials
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) refers to a heterogeneous group of closely related clonal hematopoietic disorders commonly found in the aging population. All are characterized by one or more peripheral blood cytopenias. Bone marrow is usually hypercellular, but rarely, a hypocellular marrow mimicking aplastic anemia may be seen. Bone marrow cells display aberrant morphology and maturation (dysmyelopoiesis), resulting in ineffective blood cell production.
MDS affects hematopoiesis at the stem cell level, as indicated by cytogenetic abnormalities, molecular mutations, and morphologic and physiologic abnormalities in maturation and differentiation of one or more of the hematopoietic cell lines.
See the image below.
Blood film (1000× magnification) demonstrating a vacuolated blast in a refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation. Courtesy of U. Woermann, MD, Division of Instructional Media, Institute for Medical Education, University of Bern, Switzerland.
See Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Classification, Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options, a Critical Images slideshow, to help identify, classify, work up, and treat these disorders.
MDS may involve one, two, or all three myeloid hematopoiesis cell lineages—erythrocytic, granulocytic, megakaryocytic—depending on the subtype and stage of the disease. The heterogeneity of MDS reflects the fact that its course involves a series of cytogenetic events. In a subgroup of patients, the acquisition of additional genetic abnormalities results in the transformation of MDS into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Thus, although MDS is clonal, it is considered a premalignant condition.
Patients with MDS may present with clinical manifestations of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and/or neutropenia (see Presentation). The workup in patients with possible MDS includes a complete blood count with differential, peripheral blood smear, and bone marrow studies (see Workup).
Standard care for MDS is constantly changing, but it typically includes supportive therapy, including transfusions, and may include bone marrow stimulation and cytotoxic chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents. Bone marrow transplantation has a limited role. (See Treatment.)
For discussion of MDS in children, see Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
For patient education information, see Myelodysplastic or Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (Leukemia Types).