Predicting survival and leukemic evolution in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of hematologic disorders that occur mainly in older persons and are characterized by peripheral cytopenias and an increasing risk of progression into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The impressive heterogeneity of the natural history of MDS, ranging from indolent conditions with near normal life expectancy to forms rapidly progressing to leukemia, complicates clinical decision making regarding therapeutic odalities and timing of interventions. Refining disease-related prognostic factors within WHO subgroups and integrating them into new prognostic models is warranted in order to implement effective risk-adapted treatment strategies in MDS.