Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) requires a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, where a needle is inserted into the hip bone to withdraw a small amount of fluid (this is the aspiration) and part of the spongy center of the bone (this is the biopsy). However, a simple blood test that checks the number of each specific type of blood cell and how they appear under a microscope often can render clues that support the diagnosis of MDS.

In addition to the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, a specialized chromosome analysis, called cytogenetics, is necessary for definitive diagnosis. As with the bone marrow aspiration, cytogenetics also requires a small amount of fluid from the hip bone for analysis.

Once diagnosed with MDS, prognosis depends on the extend of the low blood counts, whether there are any signs of leukemic cells in the bone marrow, and on the results of a specialized chromosome test done on the bone marrow called cytogenetics. Many patients with MDS eventually develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of cancer in which too many immature white blood cells are made. Once AML occurs, the prognosis is dismal.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are grouped together based on how the bone marrow and blood cells look under a microscope. There are five types of myelodysplastic syndromes:

• Refractory anemia
• Refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts
• Refractory anemia with excess blasts
• Refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation
• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007