Symptoms & Diagnosis
Learn to recognize the signs of MDS and understand the diagnostic process. Early detection and proper diagnosis are crucial for effective treatment.
Common Symptoms
MDS often develops slowly, and symptoms may be mild at first. Recognizing these signs early is important.
- Persistent fatigue and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin or pallor
- Frequent or unusual infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Petechiae (small red spots)
When to See a Doctor
Certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention and evaluation.
- Unexplained fatigue > 2 weeks
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Frequent infections
- Persistent fevers
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood test abnormalities
Diagnostic Tests
A combination of blood tests and bone marrow examination confirms MDS diagnosis.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Peripheral blood smear
- Bone marrow aspiration & biopsy
- Cytogenetic analysis
- Molecular genetic testing
- Flow cytometry
Understanding Results
Your healthcare team will explain test results and what they mean for your care.
- MDS subtype classification
- Risk category (IPSS-R)
- Chromosome abnormalities
- Treatment recommendations
- Prognosis and outlook
Diagnostic Process Timeline
1. Initial Testing
- Blood work and Complete Blood Count (CBC) analysis
- Review of symptoms and medical history
- Physical examination
- Referral to hematologist/oncologist
2. Confirmatory Testing
- Bone marrow biopsy procedure
- Cytogenetic and molecular testing
- Risk stratification (IPSS-R scoring)
- Treatment planning discussion
