Preleukemia is now more accurately called Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Understanding Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Former Terminology
Before it was well-understood, MDS was often referred to as:
- "Pre-leukemia"
- "Smoldering leukemia"
These terms indicated that the condition could potentially develop into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of blood cancer.
What is MDS?
MDS is a group of disorders where the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become abnormal. This results in the body not producing enough healthy blood cells. MDS can impact:
- Red blood cells: Leading to anemia.
- White blood cells: Increasing the risk of infections.
- Platelets: Causing bleeding and bruising issues.
Key Takeaways
- Preleukemia is outdated: The preferred and correct term is now Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
- MDS is a precursor: MDS can sometimes progress into leukemia.
- MDS involves abnormal blood cell production: The bone marrow produces fewer, less healthy blood cells.