Who should a patient with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) consult?

From the Guidelines

For Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), you should consult a hematologist-oncologist who specializes in blood disorders and blood cancers, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. These specialists have specific training in diagnosing and treating MDS, which is a complex group of bone marrow disorders characterized by ineffective blood cell production. Your primary care physician can provide an initial referral to a hematologist-oncologist, preferably one affiliated with a comprehensive cancer center or academic medical institution with experience in treating MDS. The specialist will conduct a thorough evaluation including:

• Blood tests
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Cytogenetic analysis to determine the MDS subtype and risk category using scoring systems like IPSS-R. This classification is crucial as treatment approaches vary significantly based on disease risk, ranging from supportive care with transfusions and growth factors for lower-risk disease to hypomethylating agents like azacitidine or decitabine, lenalidomide, or even stem cell transplantation for higher-risk disease. Early consultation is important as MDS can progress to acute myeloid leukemia in some cases, and timely intervention may improve outcomes and quality of life, as supported by guidelines from the European LeukemiaNet 1 and ESMO 1.

From the Research

Diagnosis and Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

A patient with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) should consult:

• A hematologist, as they specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, including MDS 2, 3, 4
• An oncologist, as MDS is a type of cancer and oncologists specialize in the treatment of cancer 3, 5
• A hospitalist, as they can provide supportive care and manage complications related to MDS 4, 5

Specialized Care

Patients with MDS may also benefit from consulting:

• A bone marrow specialist, as bone marrow examination is essential for diagnosing MDS 2, 6
• A genetic counselor, as genetic characterization can help with diagnosis and prognosis 6
• A palliative care specialist, as palliative care can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life 5

Multidisciplinary Care

MDS treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving:

• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation specialists, as transplantation is a potential cure for MDS 2, 3
• Supportive care teams, as supportive care is essential for managing complications and improving quality of life 5