An adult patient with a chronic myelogenous leukemia sits down with you to discuss his questions and concerns about his upcoming bone marrow transplant. He has already received some educational materials and participated in a family conference during which health team members described the procedure and potential complications. He has been told that he has a risk of graft rejection or graft versus host disease (GVHD), but he does not understand the distinction (Chapter 12, Learning Objectives 1, 2, 10, 11).
- What are the similarities between graft versus host disease and graft rejection?
- What are the pathophysiologic differences between graft versus host disease and graft rejection?
- How would these differences be manifested clinically?
- Studies have shown a protective effect of mild to moderate GVHD in cancer patients who have had a bone marrow transplant. Based on your understanding, can you explain these findings?
