Tool Measures Severity of Transplant-Related Symptoms
A new assessment tool helps clinicians measure the severity of symptoms that can complicate allogeneic (unrelated donor) stem cell transplantation.
Called chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), these symptoms require close management for an indefinite period of time and cause physically debilitating side effects in 40% to 80% of allogeneic transplant patients. Inadequate diagnosis and assessment has long been a major barrier to successful treatment.
¡°There was a real need to develop this tool because cGVHD is a vexing side effect that can become a serious condition in a very short period of time. It threatens the success of the transplant and creates a dilemma for many patients who do not live near where they received their transplant or do not have access to a transplant specialist,¡± says Loretta Williams, Ph.D., instructor in MD Anderson¡¯s Department of Symptom Research and lead author on the study.
¡°Now we can assess quickly in person or over the phone whether a patient has developed symptoms of cGVHD and make arrangements for the patient to receive further assessment and treatment if necessary.¡±
Reported in February at the 2010 Bone and Marrow Transplant Tandem Meeting.
