Myelodysplastic disorders

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders of haemopoiesis. They share characteristic morphological abnormalities of the blood and bone marrow and a risk of evolution to acute leukaemia, which varies depending on the sub-type of MDS. The majority of patients are elderly and present with symptoms of marrow failure despite increased marrow cellularity. The World Health Organization has published a classification of MDS, which incorporates morphological, genetic and clinical features. This has been adopted worldwide. In combination with the International Prognostic Scoring System, the prognosis of the disease can be estimated and appropriate treatment offered. This treatment should be tailored to the individual patient.