Which World Health Organization (WHO) classification for MDS is best supported when the peripheral blood shows a general cytopenia, 5-19% blasts with Auer rods, and

Question

Which World Health Organization (WHO) classification for MDS is best supported when the peripheral blood shows a general cytopenia, 5-19% blasts with Auer rods, and <1 × 10⁹/L monocytes?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The WHO classification for MDS with 5-19% blasts is Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and since there are Auer rods present, it is classified as RAEB-2. The presence of cytopenia and dysplasia in multiple cell lines also supports the classification of RAEB-2 over other options.

Which World Health Organization (WHO) Classification for MDS Is Best