Glossary
Myelodysplastic syndrome
(MY-eh-loh-dis-PLAS-tik SIN-drome)
A type of cancer in which the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) and there are abnormal cells in the blood and/or bone marrow. When there are fewer healthy blood cells, infection, anemia, or bleeding may occur. Sometimes, myelodysplastic syndrome becomes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Also called MDS.
Definition from the National Cancer Institute’s NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.