Improving Diagnosis in Idiopathic Cytopenia Using Gene Sequencing

10% of the cases referred to the specialist diagnostic haemato-pathology service at RMH are for cytopenias. The hypothesis to be tested is that a proportion of patients with idiopathic cytopenias have mutations in myelodysplasic syndrome (MDS)-associated genes. The investigators will sequence a panel of known MDS-associated genes in patient material (bone marrow and blood) that is sent routinely to the diagnostic service where conventional techniques have failed to establish a clear diagnosis. 200 patients with idiopathic cytopenia will be followed up to determine their survival, blood counts and development of acute leukaemia and other haematological malignancies. The clinical outcomes will be correlated with any mutations detected.