Myelodysplastic syndrome is a term used to describe a group of closely-related diseases that affect the bone marrow. All of these diseases affect how blood cells are produced. Myelodysplastic syndrome is considered to be a pre-cancerous condition because many people with this condition develop acute myeloid leukemia.

Manifestations of myelodysplastic syndrome include:

• Anemia
• Bacterial infections:
• Due to an abnormally low white blood cell count
• Coagulopathy:
• Easy bleeding
• Excessive bruising