Literature-based followup recommendations Part 4: Myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes and management of iron overload in multiply-transfused oncology patients

Many smaller Canadian cancer centres or those employing hematologists to manage malignant hematology as a community service often follow patients with myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative syndromes. Similarly, most cancer programs will have a number of patients dependent on regular transfusion support who also require management for potential iron overload. There are few randomized studies in these conditions and best practice is, by necessity, literature-based. This article reviews practical aspects of followup of these syndromes, as well as management of iron overload in the multiply-transfused oncology patient.