The dysplasia part of myelodysplasia
 

What is meant by dysplasia in MDS? I know it means abnormal, but in what way? Are increased blast cell counts considered dysplasia? Genetic mutation such as deletion or trisomy? Or does it have to be how the blood cell is specifically formed and shaped?

It's the latter: the size and shape of the cells in your bone marrow, which are the signs of abnormal growth or development detected with a bone marrow biopsy. Genetic mutations make cells abnormal too, of course, but I don't think that characteristic influenced the name given to these diseases.

Myelo = bone marrow

Dysplastic = abnormal cell growth or development

Syndrome = group of symptoms, which together can define a disease

Myelodysplastic Syndromes = a group of related diseases involving abnormal bone marrow cell growth or development

An increased blast cell count is an important factor in classifying MDS too, but cell counts don't contribute to the name of the disease and not all MDS patients have increased blasts.

Thank you. This can be really confusing. As mentioned in another thread, on March 8, using a biopsy taken on Feb. 23, our doctor, a specialist at John Hopkins, diagnosised my wife with RAEB-II. She didn't say that any of the cells were dysplastic, just 8% or so blast cells. Also there was auer rods and trisomy 8. The doctor did not quite consider it leukemia because of the blast cell count, but was really on the fence about whether it really was MDS or AML. The doctor basically said whatever we call it, the treatment will be as if my wife does have AML.

Can you have MDS without the dysplasia, and can one have AML without the high blast count?

My husband has been diagnosed with MDS without the dysplasia. We were told that sometimes it's diagnosed by exclusion.

One reason that it may be treated with induction chemotherapy like would be done with AML is the presence of auer rods. these are a little atypical in mds and is usually treated aggressively.