Definitions and standards in the diagnosis and treatment of the myelodysplastic syndromes: Consensus statements and report from a working conference.
The classification, scoring systems, and response criteria for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have recently been updated and have become widely accepted. In addition, several new effective targeted drugs for patients with MDS have been developed. The current article provides a summary of updated and newly proposed markers, criteria, and standards in MDS, with special reference to the diagnostic interface and refinements in evaluations and scoring. Concerning the diagnostic interface, minimal diagnostic criteria for MDS are proposed, and for patients with unexplained cytopenia who do not fulfill these criteria, the term 'idiopathic cytopenia of uncertain significance' (ICUS) is suggested. In addition, new diagnostic and prognostic parameters, histopathologic and immunologic determinants, proposed refinements in scoring systems, and new therapeutic approaches are discussed. Respective algorithms and recommendations should facilitate diagnostic and prognostic evaluations in MDS, selection of patients for therapies, and the conduct of clinical trials.
Valent
Peter
P
Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. peter.valent@meduniwien.ac.at
Horny
Hans-Peter
HP
Bennett
John M
JM
Fonatsch
Christa
C
Germing
Ulrich
U
Greenberg
Peter
P
Haferlach
Torsten
T
Haase
Detlef
D
Kolb
Hans-Jochen
HJ
Krieger
Otto
O
Loken
Michael
M
van de Loosdrecht
Arjan
A
Ogata
Kiyoyuki
K
Orfao
Alberto
A
Pfeilstöcker
Michael
M
Rüter
Björn
B
Sperr
Wolfgang R
WR
Stauder
Reinhard
R
Wells
Denise A
DA
D000465:Algorithms; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis