An abbreviation for myelodysplastic syndrome. MDS encompasses a diverse
group of bone marrow disorders that share a common clonal defect of stem
cells. These disorders are characterized by one or more cytopenias, despite a
relatively hypercellular bone marrow. They are referred to as preleukemia
because of their tendency to transform into acute myelogenous leukemia
(AML). SYN: pre-leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.
