Myelodysplastic Syndrome Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome is essential, but it can be challenging. Our experts see a larger number of patients with this rare disease, and they are among the most skilled in its diagnosis. They use the most advanced technologies and techniques.

If you have symptoms that may signal myelodysplastic syndrome, your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your health, your lifestyle, including smoking, and your family medical history.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome Diagnosis

One or more of the following tests may be used to find out if you have myelodysplastic syndrome. These tests also may be used to find out if treatment is working.

Blood tests
Bone marrow tests, including bone marrow biopsy or bone marrow aspiration

How fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) fits into...

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Myelodysplastic Syndrome Staging

If you are diagnosed with MDS, your doctor will determine the stage of the disease. Staging is a way of classifying cancer by how much disease is in the body and where it has spread when it is diagnosed. This helps the doctor plan the best way to treat the cancer.

Since myelodysplastic syndrome affects the bone marrow, it is staged differently than other types of cancer. Your doctor will look at your blood counts, the appearance of your bone marrow, your age and changes in your genes.

Patient Tip

Ask for help. Your friends, family and colleagues really do want to help, but they might not always know what you need.

Risk Level	IPSS Score
Low risk	0
Intermediate risk 1	0.5 – 1
Intermediate risk 2	1.5 - 2
High risk	≥2.5

Adverse Factor	Assigned Score
Unfavorable cytogenetics^a	1
Age > 60 years	2
Hgb <10 g/dl	1
Plt <50 K/ul	2
Plt 50–200 K/ul	1
BM blasts >4%	1
^aIn this analysis, diploid and 5q only were favorable cytogenetic, all others were considered as unfavorable cytogenetics.
Abbreviations: BM, bone marrow; Hgb, hemoglobin; Plt, platelets.

Score	No. of patients	Median (month)	Four-year survival (%)	Category
0	11	NR	78	1
1	58	83	82	1
2	113	51	51	1
3	185	36	40	2
4	223	22	27	2
5	166	14	9	3
6	86	16	7	3
7	13	9	NA	3
Abbreviations: NA, not assessable; NR, not reached.

How fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) fits into...

Patient Tip

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Myelodysplastic Syndrome Diagnosis