Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
Incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome in Japan
Dai Chihara1, Hidemi Ito, Kota Katanoda
1Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute.
Background:
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a diverse group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell malignancies that primarily affect the elderly. Although the incidence of MDS in western countries has been well investigated, little is known about the incidence in Asian populations.
Methods:
To identify the incidence of MDS in Japan, we used population-based registry data from 1993 to 2008. The data represented 33.1% of the Japanese population. A total of 7995 patients were reported to the registry with newly diagnosed MDS during the study period.
Results:
Median age at diagnosis was 76 years. Incidence sharply increased with age, particularly in those aged over 70 years. The most recent crude incidence rate of MDS was 3.8 (95% CI 3.6-4.1) cases per 100 000 for men and 2.4 (95% CI 2.2-2.6) cases per 100 000 for women in 2008. Age-adjusted incidences of MDS in 2008, standardized by the world standard population, were 1.6 and 0.8 cases per 100 000 for men and women, respectively, while incidences standardized by the 1985 Japanese population were 2.5 and 1.2 cases per 100 000 for men and women, respectively.
Conclusions:
Our study reveals that some elderly patients suffer from MDS in Japan, but the incidence is lower than in Western countries. In current clinical practice, many elderly MDS patients are treated with supportive therapy based on an incomplete diagnosis, suggesting that the incidence estimated in this study might still be substantially underestimated. Accurate evaluation of the health impact of MDS requires evaluation of the mortality of the disease, continued surveillance, and improvement in the quality of cancer registry data.
Insights
The incidence of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in Japan is lower than in Western countries, particularly affecting individuals over 70. Underdiagnosis may lead to an underestimated disease burden.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell malignancies predominantly affecting the elderly.
- While MDS incidence is well-documented in Western nations, data for Asian populations, including Japan, remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in Japan using population-based registry data.
- To investigate age-specific incidence trends and compare Japanese MDS rates with Western countries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized population-based registry data from 1993 to 2008, covering 33.1% of the Japanese population.
- Analyzed data from 7995 newly diagnosed MDS patients during the study period.
- Calculated crude and age-adjusted incidence rates for men and women.
Main Results:
- Median age at MDS diagnosis was 76 years, with incidence increasing sharply after age 70.
- In 2008, crude incidence rates were 3.8/100,000 for men and 2.4/100,000 for women.
- Age-adjusted incidence rates in 2008 were 1.6/100,000 (men) and 0.8/100,000 (women) using the world standard population.
Conclusions:
- MDS incidence in Japan is lower than in Western countries, with a notable impact on the elderly population.
- Current clinical practices may lead to underdiagnosis and underestimation of MDS incidence.
- Accurate assessment of MDS's health impact necessitates evaluating mortality, ongoing surveillance, and improving cancer registry data quality.
