Myelodysplastic Syndromes - MDS: Statistics

Aprobado por la Junta Editorial de Cancer.Net, 03/2023

ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about the estimated number of people who will be diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) each year. Use the menu to see other pages.

Every person is different, with different factors influencing their risk of being diagnosed with this group of disorders and the chance of recovery after a diagnosis. It is important to talk with your doctor about any questions you have around the general statistics provided below and what they may mean for you individually. The original sources for these statistics are provided at the bottom of this page.

More than 10,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MDS each year. MDS is uncommon in people younger than 50. It is most common in people in their 70s. As the U.S. population continues to age, the number of people diagnosed with MDS each year is likely to increase.

Death from MDS is often caused by bleeding and/or infection from low blood cell counts or after the disease becomes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). About a third of people with MDS develop AML.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about this information. Learn more about understanding statistics.

Statistics adapted from the websites of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. (All sources accessed February 2023.)

The next section in this guide is Risk Factors. It explains the factors that may increase the chance of developing MDS. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.