[Contemporary possibilities of prognosis in myelodysplastic syndromes]

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a heterogenous group of closely related, acquired stem cell disorders. Various patterns of clinical evolution have been observed in patients with different subtypes according to the FAB (French-American-British) criteria. The marked differences in clinical outcome among MDS patients have encouraged us to search the alternative variables for predicting leukemic transformation and survival. During the past 10 years different prognostic scoring systems based on age combined with blood and bone marrow parameters have been described. This has enabled the identification of patients with better and worse prognosis among different MDS types. Additionally, studies of cytogenic patterns in MDS patients and widespread availability of bone marrow histological specimens extended the possibility of prognosis in this disease. Similarly, the in vitro culture results of hematopoietic cells using growth and differentiation factors have given very promising results. The high prevalence of RAS mutation in patients with MDS has been defined, but its clinical usefulness is under discussion.