Symptoms & Diagnosis

Medical consultation and diagnostic testing

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
Laboratory work and blood tests

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