Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) constitutes a group of malignant hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, and a significant risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS is generally a disease of the elderly, with a median age of 70 years. The incidence is 4–5/100,000/year, similar to that of acute leukemia. MDS is generally idiopathic, but can also result from hematopoietic stem cell injury due to cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, or genetic predisposition. In low-risk MDS, the main cause of cytopenia is increased apoptosis of hemopoietic progenitors, while in high-risk MDS marrow apoptosis is accompanied by additional genetic and epigenetic events, leading to expansion of immature cells, and eventually transformation to AML. Signs and symptoms of MDS relate to hematopoietic failure, manifesting in anemia, thrombocytopenia or leukopenia. The anemia is often severe, leading to regular transfusion need and reduced quality of life.
Keywords
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Darbepoetin Alfa
- Recombinant Human Erythropoietin
- Refractory Anemia
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Hellström-Lindberg, E. (2008). Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy in myelodysplasia. In: Nowrousian, M.R. (eds) Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) in Clinical Oncology. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-69459-6_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-69459-6_20
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