Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Neoplasm (MDS): Time for a Name Change?

    January 2025 in “ HemaSphere
    Shoshana Burke, Stephen Hibbs
    TLDR The term "low-risk" in myelodysplastic syndrome is misleading and should be changed to better reflect patient experiences and needs.
    The article discusses the implications of renaming myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to myelodysplastic neoplasm, emphasizing the importance of disease nomenclature in shaping perceptions. The term "low-risk" MDS is critiqued for being misleading, as it focuses on the risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) rather than the significant symptoms and limited treatment options faced by patients. The label can lead to misunderstandings and affect research funding and clinical priorities. The authors suggest removing the "low-risk" label to better reflect patient experiences and encourage more research and support.
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