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PATIENT EDUCATION
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Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)
Graft Versus Host Disease or GVHD is a problem that can occur after
allogeneic and matched unrelated bone marrow transplants (BMT).
About 40-50% of patients may have this problem. It occurs more
frequently in matched unrelated or mismatched transplants.
This handout gives general information about GVHD.
What causes GVHD?
GVHD is a response of the immune system. It is caused by the immune
cells or “lymphocytes” of the new bone marrow. These lymphocytes see
body cells of the recipient as being different. These lymphocytes may
attack and destroy specific body cells. This results in graft versus host
disease.
Graft versus host means:

Graft - Donor bone marrow and immune cells or lymphocytes given
to the recipient

Versus - Against

Host - Recipients body cells
Types of GVHD
There are two different types of GVHD. Review the chart of GVHD
symptoms on the next page.
Acute GVHD
Acute GVHD may develop within 3 months after transplant. It
may begin to occur when blood counts recover after transplant.
It usually affects the skin, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver. The
symptoms of acute GVHD happen quickly and can be mild or
severe.
This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care
team if you have any questions about your care.
© May 22, 2014. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and
Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Chronic
Chronic GVHD may occur from three months to a year or longer
after transplant.
Chronic GVHD symptoms progress slowly and can be mild or
severe. Usually chronic symptoms are mild and can be controlled
by medicines.
Prevention/Treatment
Special medicines are given to prevent acute and chronic GVHD.
These medicines are started before your transplant. The medicines are
used to slow down or suppress the immune system, to prevent GVHD.
These medicines can also be used to treat GVHD by adjusting the
dosages. Examples of medicines are cyclosporine, tacrolimus (Prograf7),
mycophenolate (Cellcept7), methotrexate, and steroids. Your doctor or
nurse will give you more information about these medicines.
GVHD
Skin
• Redness
of palms of
Acute
hands and
soles of
feet
• Rash over
parts of
the body
• Sensitive,
itching or
dry skin
• Darkened
and dry
Chronic
skin
• Peeling of
skin
GI Tract
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Loss of
appetite
• Abdominal
cramps
Liver
Lungs
Eyes
• Enlarged
liver
• Increased
liver
functions
tests*
(bloodwork)
• Abdominal
tenderness
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Difficulty
eating or
loss of
appetite
• Dry mouth
• A gradual
increase in
liver
functions
tests*
(bloodwork)
• Dry eyes
• Hard to
take deep
• Sensitivity
breaths
to light
• Shortness
of breath
• Enlarged
liver
• Abdominal
tenderness
• Yellowish
color of skin
and eyes
*Liver function tests - Bloodwork that allows us to see how the liver is
working.
Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD)