Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD)Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD)
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a potentially life-threatening complication that can occur after certain stem cell or bone marrow transplants.
GVHD; Bone marrow transplant - graft-versus-host disease; Stem cell transplant - graft-versus-host disease; Allogeneic transplant - GVHD
Common conditions include: Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD)
GVHD may occur after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in which someone receives bone marrow tissue or cells from a donor. This type of transplant is called allogeneic. The new, transplanted cells regard the recipient's body as foreign. When this happens, the cells attack the recipient's body.
GVHD does not occur when people receive their own cells. This type of transplant is called autologous.
Before a transplant, tissue and cells from possible donors are checked to see how closely they match the recipient. GVHD is less likely to occur, or symptoms will be milder, when the match is close. The chance of GVHD is:
- Around 35% to 45% when the donor and recipient are related
- Around 60% to 80% when the donor and recipient are not related
There are two types of GVHD: acute and chronic. Symptoms in both acute and chronic GVHD range from mild to severe.
Acute GVHD usually happens within days or as late as 6 months after a transplant. The immune system, skin, liver, and intestines are mainly affected. Common acute symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Yellow coloring of the skin or eyes (jaundice) or other liver problems
- Skin rash, itching, redness on areas of the skin
- Increased risk for infections
Chronic GVHD usually starts more than 3 months after a transplant and can last a lifetime. Chronic symptoms may include:
- Dry eyes, burning sensation, or vision changes
- Dry mouth, white patches inside the mouth, and sensitivity to spicy foods
- Fatigue, muscle weakness, and chronic pain
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Skin rash with raised, discolored areas, as well as skin tightening or thickening
- Shortness of breath due to lung damage
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight loss
- Reduced bile flow from the liver
- Brittle hair and premature graying
- Damage to sweat glands
- Decrease in number of mature blood cells (cytopenia)
- Inflammation in the membrane surrounding the heart; causes chest pain (pericarditis)
After a transplant, the recipient usually takes medicines, such as prednisone (a steroid), which suppress the immune system. This helps reduce the chances (or severity) of GVHD. There are now new targeted therapies available that can be effective against GVHD.
You'll continue taking the medicines until your transplant health care provider thinks the risk for GVHD is low. Many of these medicines have side effects, including kidney and liver damage. You'll have regular tests to watch for these problems.
Moffitt Cancer Center, Magnolia Campus
Taiga Nishihori is an Internal Medicine provider practicing medicine in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Nishihori is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). He is also highly rated in 41 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Multiple Myeloma, Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Graft. Dr. Nishihori is currently accepting new patients.
Emory Winship Cancer Institute
Edmund Waller is a Hematologist Oncology provider practicing medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been practicing medicine for over 41 years. Dr. Waller is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). He is also highly rated in 27 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD), Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), and Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Waller is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 1991.
Emory Winship Cancer Institute
Amelia Langston is a Hematologist Oncology provider practicing medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been practicing medicine for over 42 years. Dr. Langston is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). She is also highly rated in 48 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD), Aplastic Anemia, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Langston is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 1989.
The outlook depends on the severity of GVHD. People who receive closely matched bone marrow tissue and cells usually do better.
Some cases of GVHD can damage the liver, lungs, digestive tract, or other body organs. There is also a risk for severe infections.
Many cases of acute or chronic GVHD can be treated successfully. But this doesn't guarantee that the transplant itself will succeed in treating the original disease.
If you have had a bone marrow transplant, contact your transplant provider right away if you develop any symptoms of GVHD or other unusual symptoms.
Background: * Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a multi-organ alloimmune and autoimmune disorder that occurs following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). It is characterized by immune dysregulation, immunodeficiency, impaired organ function, and decreased survival. * Each year about 8000 patients receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) in North A...
Summary: This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of a radioactive agent linked to an antibody (211At-BC8-B10) followed by donor stem cell transplant in treating patients with high-risk acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome that has come back (recurrent) or isn't responding to treatment (refractory). 211At-BC8-B10 is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of canc...
Published Date: May 01, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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