A retrospective evaluation of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Abstract

Aim: To determine our results by examining patient's files who we followed up by myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) diagnosis between 2005 and 2009 as retrospectively and to compare the accordance of our results with literature.

Methods: We examined 55 patient's files who got MDS diagnosis in 4 year-term. Complete blood count, biochemical analysis, peripheral spread, bone marrow aspiration, bone marrow biopsy examinations, cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses were made for all cases.

Results: Our patient's age average was 69 and when classified according to WHO criterions at the diagnosis time, % 13 (23,6) of cases got diagnosed with RA-RARS, % 29 (52,7) with RCMD-RS, %5 (9,1) with RAEB-1, % 4 (7.3) with RAEB-2, % 3 (5.5) with MDS 5q and % 1 (1.8) with secondary MDS. % 52 of the patients had normal cytogenetic structure. No relation was determined between patients’ diagnosis and international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) scores. During the 4 year-term, our 13 patients died. 6 of these cases died by reason of transforming to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 7 patients died because of infection. Mean survival time of cases that died was 6 (1-7) months as of the diagnosis date. Whereas 8 cases were over 70 ages, 5 of our cases were under 70 ages.

Conclusion: MDS is a disease that ranges between anemia and AML and requires cytogenetic trials for diagnosis along bone marrow aspiration and biopsy for the purpose of determining the treatment regimen and prognosis. Determining the IPSS scores of patients by obtained outcomes is required. Risk of transforming to acute leukemia and susceptibility to infection are important in terms of mortality. Overage of patient population restricts the treatment regimens. Age must be an important factor for prognosis and treatment choice.