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Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Clinical importance of confirming or excluding the diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 28, pages 1047–1051 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. The presentation of this disease is varied, and it requires histological confirmation for diagnosis. In addition, cGVHD can often mimic other diseases, and vice versa. We have conducted a retrospective analysis of 123 patients referred to the GVHD clinic at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center from 1994 to 1998 with a diagnosis of active cGVHD. Of these, nine patients (7%) had no evidence of cGVHD, and 25 patients (20%) had inactive cGVHD. Many of these patients were found to have other processes accounting for their ongoing symptoms. We conclude that since the therapy for this disease has significant toxicities and since what appears to represent cGVHD may actually be another disease, correct diagnosis of cGVHD or exclusion of this diagnosis is essential.

Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 28, 1047–1051.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Deborah McClellan, PhD for her kind suggestions in preparing this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Hematologic Malignancies, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    DA Jacobsohn

  2. Department of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    S Montross, V Anders & GB Vogelsang

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  1. DA Jacobsohn
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  2. S Montross
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Jacobsohn, D., Montross, S., Anders, V. et al. Clinical importance of confirming or excluding the diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Bone Marrow Transplant 28, 1047–1051 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1703278

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