hematology and oncology
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Key Points
Myelodysplastic syndrome is a disorder of hematopoietic cell production involving clonal proliferation of an abnormal hematopoietic stem cell. Patients usually present with a deficiency of red cells (most common), white cells, and/or platelets. Transformation to acute myeloid leukemia is common. Azacitidineanddecitabinemay ameliorate symptoms and decrease the rate of transformation to acute leukemia. Stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment and is the treatment of choice in younger, medically fit patients. 