Graft-versus-host disease

Treatment:

Treatment consists of suppressing the immune response, but doing so without damaging the new marrow. Corticosteroids, antithymocyte globulins and cyclosporine (A) drugs are used. Immune suppressants often used to treat cancer are also carefully used in decreased dosages to suppress or prevent graft-versus-host disease.

These include:

• antithymocyte globulin
• cyclosporine
• corticosteroids (prednisone)
• cyclophosphamide
• methotrexate

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies. Sometimes treatment of the condition can lead to severe complications.

Complications:

• loss of marrow graft
• recurrence of leukemia
• lupus erythematosus
• scleroderma
• Sjogren's syndrome
• fasciitis
• infection

Calling your health care provider:

As a rule, people with bone marrow grafts are very closely monitored. However, if any of the above symptoms appear, call your health care provider immediately.