Cancer Labeling, Risk Perception, and Treatment Choices in Clonal Cytopenia of Undetermined Significance

With increasing detection of early cancers and precancers, debate over the cancer label has intensified. Although attention focuses on relabeling solid tumors to reduce overtreatment, hematologic precursor conditions remain overlooked. Clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) carries increased risk of progression to myelodysplastic neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia, with high-risk CCUS having a prognosis similar to that of lower-risk myelodysplastic neoplasms. Because these conditions are managed with surveillance or systemic therapy based on risk, diagnostic labels and linguistic framing may influence decision-making. We investigated whether these factors are associated with changes in risk perceptions and treatment decisions in CCUS.