Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of disorders typified by peripheral cytopenia, dysplastic hematopoietic progenitors, and a hypercellular bone marrow. In this condition, bone marrow cells display aberrant morphology and maturation (dysmyelopoiesis), resulting in ineffective blood cell production. This condition has a high risk of conversion to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Symptoms are dependent on the specific cell line that is most affected.
Common presentations include fatigue, weakness, pallor (secondary to anemia), increased infections and fever (secondary to neutropenia), and increased bleeding and bruising (secondary to thrombocytopenia). Diagnosis is by blood count, peripheral smear, and bone marrow aspiration. Treatment with azacytidine may help; if AML supervenes, it is treated per the usual protocols. Pathophysiology MDS is a group of disorders sometimes…
