[Etiological factors of myelodysplastic syndromes]

Specific epidemiologic data on myelodysplastic syndromes are rare. Analysis of data is in fact affected by problems of terminology and classification. The link between the exposure to ionizing radiation or alkylating agents and MDS is well established. Etiologic factors of acute leukemia, or new factors such as non ionizing radiation, solvent, ethylene oxide, glycol eters, tobacco smoke, exhaust gases, agricultural work have been hypothesized but should be confirmed by other studies on MDS.