Abstract
The incidence rate of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the United States is approximately 3.4 per 100,000 people, accounting for more than 10,000 new diagnoses annually and an estimated 60,000 people living with the disease. Common risk factors for developing MDS include advanced age, male gender, and antecedent exposure to chemotherapy or radiation as treatment for other cancers, which alone accounts for 10% of MDS cases. Patients with MDS typically are diagnosed when they are in their 70s, have significant cytopenias, and have substantive transfusion needs. Erythropoiesis stimulating agents are used by more than 50% of patients, although the use of disease-modifying agents is increasing, and may ultimately have an impact on the number of patients living with MDS.
