Myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are malignant stem-cell diseases that are usually diagnosed in elderly patients who present with anemia or, less commonly, bi- or pancytopenia. Their incidence in persons over age 80 is above 50 new cases per 100,000 persons per year. Their clinical course is highly variable. About one-quarter of all patients with MDS develop acute leukemia. The median survival time from the moment of diagnosis is about 30 months.

Method

We selectively searched the PubMed database for pertinent articles and guidelines from the years 2000-2013. We used the search term "myelodysplastic syndromes."

Results

MDS are diagnosed by cytology, with consideration of the degree of dysplasia and the percentage of blast cells in the blood and bone marrow,

SUBMITTER: Germing U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3855821 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature