Anemia in Focus:

The Challenge of Identifying

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Anemia is a hallmark of MDS, conferring heightened mortality risk and
diminished quality of life. 

References 1Haring Y. J Clin Med. 2023;12:5865.  
References 2Stauder R. Blood. 2018;131:505-514.

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        Watch Dr. David Sallman, a leading MDS specialist at the Moffitt Cancer Center, talk about the importance of investigating unexplained anemia

        Explore causes of anemia

         

        Anemia is a frequent condition in the elderly. The cause of anemia is unexplained in one-third of cases, and a great part may be attributed to myeloid neoplasms.

        References 2Stauder R. Blood. 2018;131:505-514.
        References 3Alvarez-Payares JC et al. Cureus. 2021;13:e19971.

         


         

        Diagnose MDS

         

        MDS should be suspected in elderly patients with isolated unexplained anemia. About 1 in 6 patients with unexplained anemia has findings compatible with MDS.

        References 4McDonald L et al. Blood. 2018;132:5515-5515.
        References 5Hasserjian RP et al. Blood. 2023;142:2247-2257. 
        References 6Foran JM, Shammo JM. Am J Med. 2012;125(suppl):S6-S13.

         

         

         

        Assess risk

         

        Prognostic scoring allows assessment of disease severity. Risk stratification is important to understand the disease trajectory and enable a tailored clinical approach.

        References 5Hasserjian RP et al. Blood. 2023;142:2247-2257.
        References 7Platzbecker U et al. Leukemia. 2021;35:2182-2198.

         


         

        Understand the burden

        MDS-related anemia shortens patients’ lives and negatively impacts their quality of life. Chronic anemia and transfusion dependence are the main clinical challenges in lower-risk MDS.

        References 7Platzbecker U et al. Leukemia. 2021;35:2182-2198.
        References 8Oliva EN et al. Blood Rev. 2021;50:100851.

         

         

         

         

        Pocket Guide to Diagnosing MDS
        Pocket Guide to Diagnosing MDS

        Download a Pocket Guide

        Diagnosing MDS requires an extensive series of tests, but it is also important to have a high clinical suspicion to identify risk factors for developing MDS, such as advancing age

        References 5Hasserjian RP et al. Blood. 2023;142:2247-2257.
          
        References 9Sekeres MA. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2010;24:287-294.

        • 1 Haring Y. J Clin Med. 2023;12:5865.  
        • 2
          Stauder R. Blood. 2018;131:505-514.
        • 3 Alvarez-Payares JC et al. Cureus. 2021;13:e19971.
        • 4 McDonald L et al. Blood. 2018;132:5515-5515.
        • 5
          Hasserjian RP et al. Blood. 2023;142:2247-2257. 
        • 6 Foran JM, Shammo JM. Am J Med. 2012;125(suppl):S6-S13.
        • 7
          Platzbecker U et al. Leukemia. 2021;35:2182-2198.
        • 8 Oliva EN et al. Blood Rev. 2021;50:100851.
        • 9 Sekeres MA. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2010;24:287-294.