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The prognosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is related to several factors that are scored using a risk-classification system such as the IPSS system described in detail above.

In general, significant prognostic factors for myelodysplastic syndromes include the following parameters:

• Leukemic Burden

  • the percentage (%) of blasts in the peripheral blood and bone marrow.
  • the FAB subtype classification.

• Cytogenic Abnormalities

  • some types of cytogenic abnormalities such as del (5q) and del (20q) are associated with longer survival.
  • other more common cytogenic abnormalities [e.g., -7; del 7(q); del (17q); del (12p)] are associated with a more aggressive clinical course.

• Number of Cytopenias

  • cytopenia is a reduction in the number of blood cells
  • the frequency of cytopenias negatively impacts survival.

• Other Factors

  • older patients (60 years or older) tend to have a poorer prognosis compared to younger patients.
  • patients with secondary MDS (i.e., MDS occurring after treatment with chemotherapy or radiation) tends to have a poorer prognosis compared to patients with primary MDS.