Diagnosis

How MDS is diagnosed

Doctors diagnose MDS (myelodysplastic syndromes) based on a person's symptoms (if any) and medical history as well as the results of specific tests, including:

Complete blood count (CBC): a small amount of blood is taken from one of the veins in your arm and analyzed. The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets is determined and compared to "normal standards." If your red blood cell count is low, your healthcare professional may order another simple blood test to determine if your body is getting enough iron, folic acid, or B₁₂.

Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy: a small amount of bone marrow is taken from the hip bone through a needle and examined by a doctor to answer these questions:

Are there the right numbers of each type of cell?
Are the cells maturing normally?
Are the shapes and sizes of the cells normal?
Are there increased iron stores?
Is there any damage or scarring within the bone marrow?

Chromosome testing: samples from the bone marrow aspiration are examined for defects within the chromosomes. This information is important for classifying what type of MDS you have, as well as for helping determine your prognosis.