A large population study has been completed in Sweden that aimed to identify whether there is a familial link for acute myeloid leukemia (AKL) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Interestingly, having a first-degree relative with AML or MDS did not increase the risk of developing either disease. However, the risk of developing a myeloproliferative neoplasm was increased (although not significantly). For families of patients diagnosed with AML at younger than 21 years, there was a significantly increased risk of developing AML or MDS, suggesting a role for germline genes in these cases.