Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Also known as: Myelodysplastic syndromes, unspecified · MDS
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
Myelodysplastic syndromes are rare conditions where stem cells in the bone marrow do not mature into healthy blood cells, and many of them die in the bone marrow. This lack of healthy cells can lead to infection, anemia, or easy bleeding. These syndromes often do not cause early symptoms, but when symptoms occur, they may include shortness of breath, weakness, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, pinpoint spots under the skin, and fever or frequent infections. People at higher risk are over 60, have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or have been exposed to certain chemicals. Treatment options include transfusions, drug therapy, chemotherapy, and blood or bone marrow stem cell transplants.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
Your bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells. The stem cells can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body, the white blood cells that fight infections, and the platelets that help with blood clotting. If you have a myelodysplastic syndrome, the stem cells do not mature into healthy blood cells. Many of them die in the bone marrow. This means that you do not have enough healthy cells, which can lead to infection, anemia, or easy bleeding.
Myelodysplastic syndromes often do not cause early symptoms and are sometimes found during a routine blood test. If you have symptoms, they may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or feeling tired
- Skin that is paler than usual
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding
- Fever or frequent infections
Myelodysplastic syndromes are rare. People at higher risk are over 60, have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or have been exposed to certain chemicals. Treatment options include transfusions, drug therapy, chemotherapy, and blood or bone marrow stem cell transplants.
NIH: National Cancer Institute
Related terms in the cited sources
Medicines with an official indication for this condition
- Azacitidine Treatment
- Epoetin alfa Treatment
- Imetelstat Treatment
- Lenalidomide Treatment
- Luspatercept Treatment
In alphabetical order.
Next to it in ICD-10
- D27Benign ovarian tumour
- D39Tumour of uncertain behaviour of the female genital organs
- D45Polycythaemia vera
- D56Thalassemia
- D57Sickle cell disease
- D61Aplastic anaemia
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Myelodysplastic Syndromes?
D46 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Myelodysplastic Syndromes?
2A3Z: Myelodysplastic syndromes, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA) — EPAR. © European Medicines Agency.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
About this page. This page brings together public information from official sources, each cited where it is used. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and it does not tell you which treatment to take.
Treatments. Indications are quoted unchanged from official product information (European Medicines Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration). They describe what a medicine is approved for, not whether it is right for you. Approved uses can differ between countries. Always read the package leaflet and follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
What people report. Figures marked "reported by Anpheros users" are anonymous counts from at least 20 people who agreed to share them. They show what people report, not what works, and they are not clinical evidence.
Links between terms. "May be associated with" means the link appears in a cited source. It does not mean you have that condition.
In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number). Do not delay seeking medical help because of something you read here.