Bone marrow transplants can treat certain cancers, but can also cause graft versus host disease (GVHD), where the body attacks itself. GVHD can occur when using donor cells. Symptoms include rash, stomach problems, and organ failure. Treatment involves steroids and other drugs. The prognosis depends on the severity of symptoms and treatment initiation. Tissue match between donor and recipient can reduce the chances of developing GVHD.
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a medical condition that can occur as a complication of a bone marrow transplant. The marrow contains stem cells, which create the blood cells in the body. Bone marrow transplants can be done to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Transplants help replace bone marrow in a patient’s body that was malfunctioning due to disease.
There are two types of transplants. One is done by harvesting stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow, after high-dose chemotherapy has killed the cancer cells. A second type of bone marrow transplant involves using cells donated by another person, which are transplanted into the patient. Graft versus host disease can occur in this type of transplant.
The goal of a bone marrow transplant is for the stem cells to graft into the patient’s immune system. This means that the donor’s immune system replaces the patient’s immune system. When graft-versus-host disease occurs, the patient’s immune system does not accept the marrow and the body begins to attack itself.
It’s not fully understood why GVHD disease occurs in some people. The compatibility of the donor marrow with the patient plays an important role in determining whether the patient will develop complications after the transplant. Many cases of GVHD are mild, while others can cause serious problems and possibly be fatal.
When symptoms begin within the first 100 days after transplantation, it is called acute GVHD. If symptoms start later, the condition is known as chronic GVHD. Symptoms of the acute form of the disease include a rash, stomach problems, including severe diarrhea, and liver failure. In chronic GVHD, any organ in the body can be involved. Symptoms often include dry skin and eyes, stomach cramps, and hair loss.
The usual treatment for graft versus host disease is steroids. They help suppress the immune system and can keep the body from attacking itself. It is essential to give the right dose to treat symptoms, without killing the new bone marrow completely. Other drugs may be given to treat pain and infections.
Some people with graft-versus-host disease respond quickly to treatment. The prognosis depends in part on which organs are involved. Other factors affecting outcome include patient age, severity of symptoms, and timeliness of treatment initiation.
While not all cases of graft versus host disease can be prevented, there are some things that reduce a patient’s chances of developing the condition. The closer the tissue match between donor and recipient, the lower the chances of developing the disease. Sibling donors are often the closest match and should be used if possible.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
