The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy
The authors conducted a systematic review of the medical literature published in the past 15 years on the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). The MDSs are typically seen in the elderly, and primary and secondary forms can be distinguished. This heterogeneous group of hematologic diseases is caused by...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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PAGEPress Publications
2013-03-01
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Series: | Italian Journal of Medicine |
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Online Access: | http://www.italjmed.org/index.php/ijm/article/view/132 |
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author | Cristina Clissa Carlo Finelli Antonio de Vivo |
author_facet | Cristina Clissa Carlo Finelli Antonio de Vivo |
author_sort | Cristina Clissa |
collection | DOAJ |
description | The authors conducted a systematic review of the medical literature published in the past 15 years on the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). The MDSs are typically seen in the elderly, and primary and secondary forms can be distinguished. This heterogeneous group of hematologic diseases is caused by clonal disorders of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. The pathogenesis of the syndromes appears to be multifactorial. Genetic damage, spontaneous or induced by environmental or iatrogenic factors, leads to abnormal proliferation and apoptosis of bone marrow stem cells. The most common presentation is anemia, alone or associated with thrombocytopenia and / or neutropenia, accompanied by the related symptoms and clinical signs (asthenia, fatigue, bleeding, recurrent infections). The diagnosis involves the exclusion of other causes of cytopenia and is based on well-defined, internationally recognized criteria, which are mainly morphologic and cytogenetic. Accurate diagnosis of MDS is essential for prognostic evaluation and for estimating the risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The risk is rated according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), which includes 4 levels (low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high). The risk class is a major determinant of the therapeutic approach. Apart from supportive care (transfusions), the main therapeutic tools are erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), iron-chelating agents, immunomodulatory drugs, demethylating agents and, in selected cases, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. |
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institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1877-9344 1877-9352 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:17:35Z |
publishDate | 2013-03-01 |
publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
record_format | Article |
series | Italian Journal of Medicine |
spelling | doaj.art-5d11ef3a66fa4700b525b1fcdecc05fd2023-12-02T21:59:08ZengPAGEPress PublicationsItalian Journal of Medicine1877-93441877-93522013-03-0152909710.4081/itjm.2011.90106The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapyCristina ClissaCarlo FinelliAntonio de VivoThe authors conducted a systematic review of the medical literature published in the past 15 years on the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). The MDSs are typically seen in the elderly, and primary and secondary forms can be distinguished. This heterogeneous group of hematologic diseases is caused by clonal disorders of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. The pathogenesis of the syndromes appears to be multifactorial. Genetic damage, spontaneous or induced by environmental or iatrogenic factors, leads to abnormal proliferation and apoptosis of bone marrow stem cells. The most common presentation is anemia, alone or associated with thrombocytopenia and / or neutropenia, accompanied by the related symptoms and clinical signs (asthenia, fatigue, bleeding, recurrent infections). The diagnosis involves the exclusion of other causes of cytopenia and is based on well-defined, internationally recognized criteria, which are mainly morphologic and cytogenetic. Accurate diagnosis of MDS is essential for prognostic evaluation and for estimating the risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The risk is rated according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), which includes 4 levels (low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high). The risk class is a major determinant of the therapeutic approach. Apart from supportive care (transfusions), the main therapeutic tools are erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), iron-chelating agents, immunomodulatory drugs, demethylating agents and, in selected cases, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.http://www.italjmed.org/index.php/ijm/article/view/132AnemiaElderlyMyelodysplastic syndromesDiagnosisTreatment. |
spellingShingle | Cristina Clissa Carlo Finelli Antonio de Vivo The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy Italian Journal of Medicine Anemia Elderly Myelodysplastic syndromes Diagnosis Treatment. |
title | The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy |
title_full | The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy |
title_fullStr | The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy |
title_full_unstemmed | The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy |
title_short | The myelodysplastic syndromes: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy |
title_sort | myelodysplastic syndromes diagnosis prognosis and therapy |
topic | Anemia Elderly Myelodysplastic syndromes Diagnosis Treatment. |
url | http://www.italjmed.org/index.php/ijm/article/view/132 |
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