Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have been studied intensively in recent years and knowledge of the disease process and underlying molecular defects in MDS has expanded rapidly. With the aging of populations and the concurrent increase in the diagnosis of MDS, these findings are of central clinical importance. New prognostic classification systems with refined prognostic significance have been developed, and molecular abnormalities are now finding their way into the process of clinical decision-making. The book has been completely updated since the first edition and concisely summarizes the state of the art on all aspects of MDS, including clinical presentation, etiology, epidemiology, molecular biology, classification, and staging. The different chapters provide guidance on diagnosis and differential diagnosis, as well as on treatment strategies, including the use of hematopoietic growth factors, biology-based treatment, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and supportive care. MDS in children is also addressed in a separate chapter. This practically oriented book will be a valuable resource for a broad range of students and practitioners in the field.

Zusammenfassung

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic disorders, is being made with increasing frequency over the past decade owing to increased recognition, improved understanding, and an aging population. This book, completely updated since the first edition, summarizes in a concise and focused way the current knowledge of all aspects of MDS. Clinical presentation, etiology, epidemiology, molecular biology, classification, and staging are all discussed. Clear guidance is provided on diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and treatment strategies are explained in detail, including administration of hematopoietic growth factors, biologically based treatment, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and supportive care. Additional chapter is devoted to MDS in children. This practically oriented book will be of value to a broad spectrum of students and practitioners in the field.

Inhalt
Clincial Presentation and Differential Diagnosis.- Epidemiology and Etiology.- Cytogenetic Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes.- MDS Stem Cell Biology.- The Biology of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Associated with Isolated del(5q).- Other.- Overlap with MPN.- Classification and Staging of Myelodysplastic Syndromes.- Immunophenotyping in Myelodysplastic Syndrome.- Prognostic Models for Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes.- Low Risk MDS.- Management of High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome.- Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.- MDS in Children.