The typical survival time following diagnosis is 2.5 years. The conditions were first recognized in the early 1900s. The current name came into use in 1976. Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms are nonspecific and generally related to the blood cytopenias:

Anemia (low RBC count or reduced hemoglobin) – chronic tiredness, shortness of breath, chilled sensation, sometimes chest pain
Neutropenia (low neutrophil count) – increased susceptibility to infection
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) – increased susceptibility to bleeding and ecchymosis (bruising), as well as subcutaneous hemorrhaging resulting in purpura or petechiaeMany individuals are asymptomatic, and blood cytopenia or other problems are identified as a part of a routine blood count:
Neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia
Splenomegaly or rarely hepatomegaly
Abnormal granules in cells, abnormal nuclear shape and size
Chromosome abnormality, including chromosomal translocations and abnormal chromosome numberAlthough some risk exists for developing acute myelogenous leukemia, about 50% of deaths occur as a result of bleeding or infection. However, leukemia that occurs as a result of myelodysplasia is notoriously resistant to treatment. Anemia dominates the early course. Most symptomatic patients complain of the gradual onset of fatigue and weakness, dyspnea, and pallor, but at least half the patients are asymptomatic and their MDS is discovered only incidentally on routine blood counts. Previous chemotherapy or radiation exposure is an important factor in the persons medical history. Fever, weight loss and splenomegaly should point to a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) rather than pure myelodysplastic process.
In cases where cerebrospinal fluid builds up, such as in hydrocephalus, the fluid is commonly diverted to the peritoneal cavity by use of a shunt placed by surgery.Body fluid sampling from the peritoneal cavity is called peritoneocentesis. The peritoneal cavity is involved in peritoneal dialysis. See also
Lesser sac
Greater sac

References
External links
peritoneum at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)