Biography
Biography: Ahmad Ali Basha
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a spectrum of clonal myeloid disorders characterized by ineffective haematopoiesis, cytopenias, qualitative disorders of blood cells, clonal chromosomal abnormalities,and the potential for clonal evolution to acute myeloid leukemia (AML).1 In this review, we discuss the various pathogenic conditions included in the spectrum of MDS and the associated risk stratification for these conditions. We further discuss the treatment recommendations based on the risk status and the expected prognosis. Epidemiology, Etiology, and Pathogenesis In the western population, the onset of MDS usually occurs after age 50 years, except in cases where the individual has undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a prior malignancy.2,3 The annual incidence of MDS increases in a logarithmic fashion after the age of 40 years. According to National Cancer Institute data, the annual incidence of MDS increases from 2 per 1 million persons at age 40 years to more than 40 per 100,000 persons in the septuagenarian population. Males are affected 1.5 times as often as females.