Graft Vs Host Disease is one of the common problems in the US. Every year, around 5,000 individuals develop chronic GVHD in the US. However, there are many treatments out there for this disease.
University Cancer Centers have been providing the best treatments for this disease for years. But what is host vs graft disease? How to know if you have this disease? What is this disease’s survival rate? What are the best treatments for this problem? Where can I get the best treatment for this disease?
We will answer all these questions in this blog. Continue reading to understand this disease completely.
What Is Graft Vs Host Disease: Overview
It is a condition that generally occurs after an allogeneic transplant. In GVHD, peripheral blood stem or the donated bone marrow sees the recipient’s body as foreign. For that reason, the bone marrow or donated cells attacks the body.
Commonly you will find two types of GVHD:
- aGvHD, i.e., Acute Graft Versus Host Disease.
- cGvHD, i.e., Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease.
If you are also a recipient of an allogeneic transplant, you can face any of the forms of GVHD, both the forms, or you don’t face any.
Acute Graft Versus Host Disease (aGvHD)
Let’s study the risk factor and where aGvHD can occur.
Risk Factor For aGvHD
You can find various factors that are responsible for the development of aGvHD. Out of all of them, the essential one is the recipient/donor HLA match. HLA stands for human leukocyte antigen. Differences between your donor and you can be fatal. The differences can make the donor cells determine your cells as foreign cells. This can cause the immune system to respond against the tissues and organs.
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People who have obtained bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells from the donor with an HLA mismatch are more prone to developing aGvHD
The other factors that can also increase the risk of developing this disease:
- A female donor with a pregnancy history.
- Older age of the recipient or the donor.
Where Generally The aGvHD Occurs?
It may occur when the donor cells have embedded in the recipient transplant cells. In a person, it generally develops in the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of this problem may occur after a few weeks of the transplant.
Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD)
Let’s study the risk factor and where cGvHD can occur.
Risk Factors For cGvHD
Individuals who are more prone to develop cGvHD:
- Those who obtained bone marrow or stem cells from the HLA mismatched related donors or the unrelated donor with matching HLA.
- Patients with a past medical record of experiencing aGvHD.
- Recipients of old age.
Where Generally The cGvHD Occurs?
The cGvHD disease can occur anytime after you are done with the allogeneic transplant. It can even take years to show signs of development. This disease can occur in the liver, skin, lungs, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, or neuromuscular.
The Symptoms Of Acute Host Vs Graft Disease
The common symptoms of aGvHD include:
- Development of red areas around skin or skin rash. These symptoms are generally signs of aGvHD of the skin. You can contact University Cancer Centers in case your skin feels itchy.
- The yellow color of the eyes or skin, discoloration, and out-of-ordinary results of blood tests. These are signs of aGvHD of the liver.
- Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, or vomiting. These symptoms are generally signs of aGvHD in the gut or gastrointestinal tract.
Knowing The Symptoms of Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease
The common symptoms of cGvHD include:
- Discoloration of skin areas, rashes, skin tightening, or thickening. These are signs of cGvHD on the skin.
- Blurry vision or dryness in the eyes. These symptoms are generally signs of cGvHD of the eyes.
- Development of white patches in the mouth, dry mouth, sensitivity, or pain while consuming spicy foods. These are signs of cGvHD in the mouth.
- Problem while breathing or unusual X-ray reports. These symptoms are generally signs of cGvHD of the lungs.
- Facing problems while swallowing, pain, and unintentional weight loss. These are signs of cGvHD of the gut or gastrointestinal tract.
- Pain, muscle weakness, or Fatigue. These symptoms are generally signs of cGvHD of the muscles and nerves.
- Pain while intercourse or vaginal dryness. These are signs of cGvHD of the vulva or vagina.
- Lack of movement in joints or less range of motion. These symptoms are generally signs of cGvHD of the connective tissue or fascia.
What Is The Host Vs Graft Disease Survival Rate?
The survival rate of GVHD is 42%. However, patients with cGvHD only have a survival rate of 10%. Contacting a professional regarding your problems is important to increase your survival chances. University Cancer Centers have certified professionals who provide the best treatments for this disease. Our experts run diagnoses to assign the best treatments for your conditions.
Acute Host Vs Graft Disease Treatment
Your doctor will discuss with you and your family all the available treatments in case you develop aGvHD. Most patients are treated with increased immunosuppression in oral form (consumed through the mouth) or intravenous steroid medicines.
Suppose the steroids fail to give results or are unsuitable for the patient. In that case, professionals like University Cancer Centers will provide you with other forms of treatments.
Chronic Host Vs Graft Disease Treatment
If you develop cGvHD, the doctor will discuss the effective treatments for your condition with you and your family. Experts recommend long-term immunosuppressive medicines to treat cGvHD. You can risk developing infections such as fungal, bacterial, and viral while using this treatment.
This treatment can suppress your immune system, making you prone to catching such diseases. To prevent such life-threatening diseases and infections, many doctors prescribe multiple medications.
The treatment period can range from a few months to years.
Conclusion
Although the survival rate of graft vs host disease is not too high, you can successfully treat it with the right treatment. Check out the symptoms of this disease to determine whether you have acute or chronic host vs graft disease.
You can find many treatments to treat this problem, but choosing the right place for treatment is also important. So, where can you get the best treatment for host vs graft disease?
University Cancer Centers have certified and award-winning Oncologists with them. Our experts will take care of you during the entire process of the treatment. We have successfully helped thousands of cancer patients during our work. We are located conveniently, so it’s easy for the patients to come for regular treatments.
Our professionals design a customized treatment plan for the patients to provide them with the most effective treatments. We accept almost every type of insurance, so don’t worry about it. Contact us at (713)-474-1414 to book an appointment with our certified professionals today!
