What does GVHD mean in ONCOLOGY
Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of bone marrow transplantation that can occur when donor stem cells attack the recipient's body. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. GVHD occurs when the donor’s immune system recognizes the transplanted stem cells as foreign and launches an attack against them. This results in an inflammatory reaction that can damage healthy tissues throughout the body, including skin, GI tract, liver, lungs, eyes, and other organs. Understanding how to recognize and treat GVHD is essential for successful outcomes following stem cell transplantation.
GVHD meaning in Oncology in Medical
GVHD mostly used in an acronym Oncology in Category Medical that means Graft Versus Host Disease
Shorthand: GVHD,
Full Form: Graft Versus Host Disease
For more information of "Graft Versus Host Disease", see the section below.
Meaning
GVHD stands for Graft Versus Host Disease. It occurs after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant when the newly infused donor cells recognize the patient’s body as foreign and launch an attack against it. This results in inflammation that can damage multiple organs throughout the body including skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver and lungs.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of GVHD include redness or discoloration of the skin; rashes; pain in various parts of the body; fatigue; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; mouth sores; weakened immunity; dry eyes/mouth/skin and hair loss. The severity of GVHD may range from mild to life-threatening depending on which organs are affected and to what degree they are attacked by the donor cells.
Treatment
GVHD may be treated with topical creams or lotions applied to affected areas, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics or antiviral medications depending on which organs are affected and what caused it in each individual case. Other treatments such as nutritional support medications may also be necessary depending on individual cases.
Prevention
To prevent GVHD from occurring after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, patients will likely receive pretransplant medication such as antithymocyte globulin (ATG), cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Prophylactic antibiotic therapy may also be used to reduce infection risk.
Essential Questions and Answers on Graft Versus Host Disease in "MEDICAL»ONCOLOGY"
What is Graft Versus Host Disease?
Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) is a condition that can occur when a person receives an organ or blood cell transplant from another person. It happens when the transplanted cells attack the recipient’s body. The donor’s immune system mistakenly believes the recipient’s body tissues are foreign and begins to attack them.
Who is at risk for GVHD?
People who receive bone marrow, stem cell, or solid organ transplants are at risk for developing GVHD.
What are symptoms of GVHD?
Symptoms of GVHD vary depending on what part of the body it affects. Common symptoms include jaundice, rashes, fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting.
How is GVHD diagnosed?
GVHD is usually diagnosed by a process of ruling out other possible causes for the patient’s symptoms. Tests such as biopsies and blood tests can also be used to make a diagnosis.
What complications can arise from GVHD?
If left untreated, GVHD can lead to serious health complications such as infections, respiratory problems, organ failure and even death in some cases.
Can pregnant women develop GVHG?
Yes - pregnant women who receive transplants can develop acute and chronic forms of GVHG due to their weakened immune systems during pregnancy.
Is there treatment for GVHG?
Yes- there are treatments available that aim to reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent further damage from occurring. This may include medications to suppress the immune system or other therapies such as phototherapy (light therapy).
Final Words:
In conclusion, understanding Graft Versus Host Disease is important for successful outcomes following stem cell transplantations. It is caused by donor cells attacking healthy tissues in the recipient’s body leading to inflammation that can affect multiple organs simultaneously. Common symptoms include redness/discoloration of skin rashes pain fatigue diarrhea and more while treatment options depend on individual cases but generally involve topical creams corticosteroids immunosuppressants etc.. To prevent GVHD from occurring pretransplant medications such as ATG cyclophosphamide or MMF may be prescribed as well as prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
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