Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) encompasses a diverse group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and dysplasia; these disorders have an inherent tendency to transform into acute leukemia. MDS is also called bone marrow failure disorder. Healthy bone marrow generates immature blood cells (called progenitor cells), stem cells, and blast cells, which transform into mature and functional white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. In individuals with MDS, these stem cells may not develop into mature cells and instead accumulate in the bone marrow, or else the stem cells may have a decreased lifespan, resulting in fewer mature blood cells. Low blood cell counts, called cytopenias, are a characteristic feature of MDS, which leads to infection, spontaneous bleeding, anemia, or easy bruising. MDS is usually diagnosed in elderly patients with anemia or bi- or pancytopenia. 

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