title: Myelodysplastic syndromes: a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal bone marrow disorders that lead to underproduction of normal blood cells. The consequent cytopenias result in infections and bleeding complications. MDS transform to acute myeloid leukemia in one-third of patients. The number of diagnoses has exploded in the past decade as a result of increased recognition and understanding of the disease and the aging of the population. New therapies can extend life. MDS are now considered the most common form of leukemia, and in some cases deserve immediate intervention. This review describes common presentations of MDS, optimal diagnostic approaches, and therapies for lower-and higher-risk disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barzi
authors.forename: Mikkael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sekeres
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin