[Myelodysplastic syndromes in adults]

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Genetics

Context:

• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are increasingly prevalent clonal hematological disorders associated with aging.
• Diagnosis and classification rely on morphological analysis of blood and bone marrow cells.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) classification refines the French-American-British system, incorporating clinical, etiologic, and cytogenetic data.

Purpose:

• To review the literature on MDS, including classification, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment.
• To report institutional experience with myelodysplastic syndromes.
• To highlight the impact of new classification and scoring systems on therapeutic strategies.

Summary:

• MDS classification has evolved with the WHO system, integrating diverse data for improved homogeneity.
• The International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) stratifies risk based on cytogenetic abnormalities, guiding treatment decisions.
• Treatment varies from supportive care and growth factors for low-risk MDS to chemotherapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for high-risk or younger patients.

Impact:

• Improved understanding of MDS pathophysiology is crucial for developing novel targeted therapies.
• New classification and scoring systems are expected to refine therapeutic strategies.
• These advancements aim to modify the overall prognosis and enhance the quality of life for MDS patients.