The myelodysplastic syndromes

The myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of diseases mainly afflicting the elderly of unknown aetiology manifesting with clinical and laboratory manifestations of ineffective haematopoiesis. This review discusses the clinical and morphological features of the syndrome followed by a critical appraisal of the French American British (FAB) group classification. The presenting symptoms are usually non-specific and relate to the peripheral cytopenia(s). The marrow is invariably hyperplastic with peripheral cytopenia(s) together with characteristic trilineage dysplastic morphological changes. Prognostic stratification and treatment are outlined. Lack of effective treatment of this syndrome remains an outstanding problem.