An accurate diagnosis is one of the most important aspects of a person’s care. Obtaining a precise diagnosis will help the doctor
- Determine the MDS subtype
- Estimate how the disease will progress
- Determine the most appropriate treatment
Since MDS can be a difficult disease to diagnose, you may want to get a second medical opinion by an experienced hematopathologist before you begin treatment.
The main criteria that are used to diagnose an MDS are
- At least one cytopenia (low blood cell count) in one or more of red blood cell, white blood cell or platelet counts
And one or more of the following criteria
- Obvious changes to the structure or form of the bone marrow cells (dysplasia) in at least 10 percent of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets
- Blasts making up between 5 and 19 percent of bone marrow cells
- Specific MDS-associated chromosome (cytogenetic) abnormality
The following tests will help your doctor make a diagnosis.
CBC with Differential. A doctor will order a complete blood count (CBC) with differential to measure the number of red cells, white cells and platelets in your blood. These measurements indicate the degree to which the MDS cells in the marrow are affecting normal blood cell development. Patients with MDS often have low numbers of one or more types of blood cells. The CBC should include a "differential." This measures the different types of white blood cells in the sample.
A low red cell count means that you have anemia. If you have anemia, your doctor examines your red cells to find out whether your condition is caused by MDS or
- Low iron, folate or B12
- Another type of cancer or bone marrow problem
- Another cause of anemia, such as kidney failure
Reticulocyte Count. Reticulocytes are precursor (immature) cells that develop into mature red blood cells. The reticulocyte count measures the number of reticulocytes in the circulating blood. It can show how quickly these cells are being made and released by the bone marrow and whether the bone marrow is functioning properly. When a person has anemia, the normal response is for the bone marrow to make more reticulocytes. A low reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is not working well.
Peripheral Blood Smear. A peripheral blood smear is a test in which a hematopathologist examines a drop of blood under a microscope to identify unusual changes in the number, size, shape, appearance and maturity of various blood cells. In myelodysplastic syndromes, blood cells have an abnormal shape or size (dysplasia). The hematopathologist will also check a peripheral blood smear for the presence of blast cells. Blast cells are normally found in the bone marrow, but they are not typically found in the blood of healthy individuals. In some cases of MDS, a small number of blast cells can be found in the blood.
Serum Erythropoietin (EPO). Erythropoietin (EPO) is a substance made in the kidneys. EPO stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. Measuring the amount of EPO in the blood can help determine the cause of anemia. A low EPO level can cause anemia and may be a sign of a health problem other than MDS. A low EPO level can also worsen anemia in a person with MDS. Most patients with MDS-related anemia have relatively low serum levels of EPO.
Bone Marrow Tests: Aspiration and Biopsy
These tests are used to confirm MDS. They are usually performed at the same time in a doctor's office or a hospital. After the samples are taken, a pathologist reviews the samples under the microscope to assess the type, size, appearance and maturity of the cells.
- A bone marrow aspiration removes a small amount of liquid bone marrow from inside a bone.
- A bone marrow biopsy removes a small piece of solid bone along with a small amount of bone marrow.
The following are signs of MDS:
- Cells of abnormal size or shape (dysplasia)
- Abnormal number (too many or too few) of any type of blood cell
- An increased number of blast cells (immature bone marrow cells)
- Abnormally low or high number of cells in the bone marrow
- Red blood cells that have too much or too little iron
Cytogenetic Testing (Karyotyping) and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH)
These are tests used to identify cells that contain chromosomal abnormalities. The tests can also help identify abnormal cells for diagnosis of disease, and can track and measure the effects of therapy. Chromosomal abnormalities are important factors in identifying specific subtypes of MDS, and they can sometimes help doctors determine the most effective treatment approach.
Cytogenetic Testing (Karyotyping). In this test, the hematopathologist uses a patient's blood or bone marrow sample to examine the chromosomes inside of cells. It is common for cancer cells to have abnormal chromosomes. A normal human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 chromosomes. Each pair of chromosomes is a certain size, shape and structure. Approximately 50 percent of MDS patients have one or more chromosomal defects that can be seen in a blood sample viewed under a microscope.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). This test uses special dyes that allow the hematopathologist to detect changes in a cell’s genes and chromosomes. This test identifies specific gene or chromosome changes that are common in MDS patients.
These tests look for mutations in genes that are associated with MDS. Sometimes, mutation testing results influence MDS treatment or its outcome. Molecular testing can be done on a sample of blood or bone marrow. It is performed in some patients with MDS to look for gene abnormalities. DNA sequencing is a type of molecular test that checks for specific gene mutations in cancer cells. Certain mutations are associated with a better or worse outcome. Doctors use the results of molecular testing to help plan treatment.
Genetic Mutations. In recent years, research has identified several gene mutations among MDS patients. Some of these mutations can have an impact in outcome of the disease.
These are noteworthy because
- There are more than 40 genes that can be mutated in MDS.
- A large number of patients (over 80 percent) are likely to carry at least one mutation.
- Based on the functions of these mutated genes, researchers have learned about the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of MDS.
- The specific pattern of mutations seen in MDS patients may partially explain the variability of their disease and will likely lead to newer classification systems based on these genetic abnormalities.
- A subset of mutations may have prognostic value. Mutations in specific genes have been associated with both better and worse prognoses than those predicted by the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS).
Testing for genetic mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes has progressed considerably in recent years and is becoming more widely available. This progress in the understanding of the genetic features of myelodysplastic syndromes will help doctors acquire a better understanding of a patient's individual disease to develop targeted treatments.
- Download or order The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's free booklets
- Blood Tests
- Understanding Blood Counts
- Bone Marrow Tests