Graft Vs Host Disease

Tim has developed Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD). This is a condition in which the donor immune system (the graft) attacks the patient (the host). This can manifest, in its mild form, as a skin rash. That is called GVH of the skin. You can also develop GVHD in the digestive system or the lungs, which is a more severe form of GVHD and can have serious complications. GVHD is not uncommon among transplant patients. In fact, the doctors like to see mild GVHD, because it means the new immune system is strong enough to take on any lingering cancer cell. But severe GVHD can be fatal if they don't get it under control.

Tim developed a skin rash last week. At his Wednesday appointment, the doctor put him on a steroid cream. The rash got worse over the weekend. Since the steroid cream isn't working, the doctors want to be more aggressive in their treatment. They have admitted Tim in order to administer IV steroids for the next several days. He is back up on the fifteenth floor of Prentice Hospital downtown.

Unfortunately, Tim's mental state has gotten worse with the GVHD. He sleeps almost all the time and hardly eats or drinks. The neurologist has ordered another MRI. He is hoping to determine if the problem is strictly GVHD or if the vasculitis has gotten worse. Luckily, the IV steroids that the oncologist wants to give Tim is the same treatment that the neurologist would prescribe. So, we wait and see how the rest of the week goes.