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 subtype of MDS. Most patients are elderly and present with symptoms of marrow failure despite increased marrow cellularity. The World Health Organization revised the classification of MDS in 2016, incorporating morphological, genetic and clinical features. The prognosis of the disease can be estimated using the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System and appropriate treatment offered. This treatment should be tailored to the individual patient.