The Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are the most common hematological malignancies involving mostly the elderly population. The major morbidity relates to patients’ symptomatic cytopenias.MDS was previously named as “preleukemia “ or “ smoldering leukem
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Judit Várkonyi Editor
The Myelodysplastic Syndromes
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Editor Prof. Judit Várkonyi 3rd Department of Internal Medicine Semmelweis University Kútvölgyi út 4, 1125 Budapest Hungary [email protected]
ISBN 978-94-007-0439-8 e-ISBN 978-94-007-0440-4 DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-0440-4 Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2011921323 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Cover design: deblik, Berlin Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
“In memory of my late father Zoltán Várkonyi and with love and gratitude to my dear husband Janos Quittner and son Zoltán Quittner”
Preface
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are the most common hematological malignancies involving mainly the elderly. They are defined as clonal stem cell disorders and characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis involving one to all bone marrow cell lineages [1]. The dominant morbidity of MDS relates to symptomatic cytopenias. According to various reports the annual incidence of MDS ranges widely from 2 to 12 per 100,000, increasing to 30–50 cases per 100,000 among persons aged 70 or older. It is believed that the true incidence of MDS has been underestimated and appears to be comparable to that of multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia [2, 3]. MDS may arise de novo, or as a result of previous environmental damage, or chemo-or radiotherapy with a peak incidence at 2–4 years following the initial exposure [4]. It might therefore be hypothesized that MDS arises due to cumulative environmental exposure in genetically predisposed individuals [5]. MDS may be regarded as a progression model in which the acquisition of genetic events occur by gain or loss of genetic material. MDS was previously named “preleukemia” or “smoldering leukemia” with a lack of terminal cells due to high apoptosis rate and the subsequent failure of differentiation. In about 25% of all cases when MDS progresses to AML—stem cell apoptosis stops and the cells fail to differentiate, a process that has been widely studied. In the past decade much progress had been achieved. We know more about disease pathophysiology resulting in increased emphasis on patient care and the evolution of targeted therapy. The chapters of this book offer updated knowledge on all clinically important aspects of the disease. Topics of great current interest are discussed by leading authors on MDS from different parts of the world. We would like to recommend this book to all those interested in this exciting and rapidly expanding field of hematology, including. medical students and postgr
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