What is myelodysplastic syndromes? Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of heterogeneous myeloid clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cell origin, characterized by abnormal differentiation and development of myeloid cells, manifested by ineffective hematopoiesis, refractory hematocrit, hematopoietic failure, and a high risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). What are the symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome? Most common symptoms of MDS are anemia, which may be accompanied by bleeding and infection. Common classification and prognosis of myelodysplastic syndromes MDS types are complex, and different types of MDS may show different cellular abnormalities and prognosis. To better distinguish between disease remission and prognosis, the IPSS Score Prognostic System was developed internationally in 1997 to classify MDS patients into low-risk, intermediate-risk-1, intermediate-risk-2, and high-risk groups by scoring specific prognostic parameters additively, with a subsequent increase in the proportion of patients progressing to AML and a subsequent decrease in median survival. How is myelodysplastic syndrome treated? The treatment of patients with MDS emphasizes individualization and therefore there is a wide variety of treatment options, mainly supportive therapy, induction of differentiation therapy, immunosuppressants, demethylating drugs, stem cell transplantation, etc. Existing drug treatments can only delay disease progression, prolong survival time and improve quality of life. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the preferred approach for the cure of intermediate to high-risk MDS.