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
- Jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin or eyes) 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
- Cytopenia (decrease in number of mature blood cells)
- Pericarditis (inflammation in the membrane surrounding the heart; causes chest pain)
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.
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.
Stanford Health Care
Robert Negrin is a Hematologist and a Hematologist Oncology provider in Stanford, California. Dr. Negrin and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). His top areas of expertise are Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia without Maturation, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
City Of Hope Medical Foundation
Stephen Forman is a Hematologist in South Pasadena, California. Dr. Forman and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). His top areas of expertise are Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Osu Internal Medicine LLC
Marcos De Lima is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. De Lima and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD). His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Graft. Dr. De Lima is currently accepting new patients.
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.
Summary: This phase II trial tests how well a ruxolitinib-based graft versus host disease (GVHD) prevention (prophylaxis) regimen works before, during, and after bone marrow/stem cell transplantation (hematopoietic cell transplantation \[HCT\]) in patients with acquired aplastic anemia. Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells. Affected patients...
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to test the ability to restore gut microbiota to healthier levels in patients with blood cancers scheduled to have stem cell transplant. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Tolerability and acceptability of intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT) versus placebo (as assessed via patient perspective questionnaires * Changes in gut microbiome diversity a...
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, 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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Riwes M, Ferrara JL, Reddy P, Magenau JM. Graft-versus-host disease and graft-versus-leukemia responses. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 109.