The new WHO classification for acute myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes:: Is it better than the FAB system?

Since 25 years the FAB (French-American-British) classification was used for acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Now the WHO published a new proposal that is primary hosed on cytogenetic and molecular markers. In parallel, the history of the AML evolving from on MDS or therapy-related is taken into account. Dysplastic features ore also analyzed for further categories. The blast count for AML is newly defined to be more than 20%. This WHO proposal points out in the light direction. Its value for therapy, prognosis and its clinial relevance for a single patient has to be investigated prospectively.