What does the term "myelodysplastic syndrome" refer to?

The term "myelodysplastic syndrome" refers to a group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells. This syndrome is characterized by the impaired production of blood cells in the bone marrow, where the blood cells do not mature properly and often result in ineffective hematopoiesis. Consequently, patients may experience various forms of cytopenias, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, increased infection risk, and bleeding tendencies due to low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

Myelodysplastic syndromes can evolve into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is why the distinction between these terms is crucial. Understanding this condition involves an awareness of its impact on the bone marrow and peripheral blood, differentiating it from conditions with contrasting mechanisms, such as excessive clotting or iron overload.