Key Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
The number of people diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the United States each year is not known for sure. Some estimates have put this number at about 10,000, while other estimates have been much higher.
MDS is uncommon before age 50, and the risk increases as a person gets older. It is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 70s. The number of new cases diagnosed each year is likely increasing as the average age of the US population increases.
Statistics related to survival among people with MDS are discussed in Survival Statistics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes.
- Written by
- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Aster JC, Stone RM. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and classification of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-diagnosis-and-classification-of-myelodysplastic-syndromes-mds on June 27, 2024.
National Cancer Institute. Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment (PDQ?)–Health Professional Version. 2022. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/hp/myelodysplastic-treatment-pdq on June 27, 2024.
SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute; 2024 Apr 17. [updated: 2024 Jun 27; cited 2024 Jun 27]. Accessed at https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/ on June 27, 2024.
Steensma DP, Stone RM. Chapter 96: Myelodysplastic syndromes. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020.
Last Revised: November 21, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.