Challenges in the Management of MDS

There are a growing number of targeted therapies available for the treatment of hematological malignancies but diagnostic difficulties remain. Derek Lyle, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Services at NeoGenomics, and Kashyap Patel, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates and president of the Community Oncology Alliance, discuss the role of hematopathologists in the diagnostic workup of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the importance of comprehensive morphological and cytological assessment, and the need for standardization across the board.

Topics will include the classification and risk stratification of MDS; the role of cancer testing modalities in informing MDS diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment; the specific role of next-generation sequencing (NGS); current guidelines recommendations; and available tests that can meet the needs of the practicing oncologist.

Learning objectives:

• Review the current landscape in hematological malignancies
• Describe how MDS is diagnosed and why this diagnosis can be challenging
• Outline the role of NGS in MDS diagnosis and management
• Learn how cancer-specific profiles can improve diagnostic and prognostic information