refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation

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Disease Overview

Refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-T) is characterized by dysplastic features of the myeloid and usually erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and an increased number of myeloblasts in the peripheral blood. The peripheral blood blast count ranges from 20% to 30%. RAEB-T used to be a subcategory of myelodysplastic syndromes in the past. Recently, the term has been eliminated from the WHO based classification of myelodysplastic syndromes. The reason is that the percentage of peripheral blood blasts required for the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia has been reduced to 20%. The elimination of the RAEB-T term by the WHO experts has created confusion and ongoing arguments. Currently, according to WHO classification, the vast majority of RAEB-T cases are best classified as acute leukemias (acute leukemias with multilineage dysplasia following myelodysplastic syndrome). A minority of cases are part of RAEB-2.


Synonyms

  • RAEB-T
  • RAEB-t

GARD Disease Summary

The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Orphanet

Orphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.

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