Diagnosis of cGVHD: Challenges & Considerations
Panelists discuss how difficult-to-diagnose cases of chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD) often include pulmonary involvement, gynecological manifestations, and neurological symptoms.
Difficult-to-Diagnose Manifestations
The panelists discussed challenging presentations:
- Pulmonary involvement is often insidious, requiring careful monitoring with serial PFTs
- Genital/gynecologic involvement is often underdiagnosed but impacts quality of life significantly
- Neuropathies are difficult to attribute to cGVHD due to multiple potential causes
- Peripheral edema can make assessment of skin thickening/sclerosis challenging
- Serositis (inflammation of tissue lining around heart, lungs, abdomen) is difficult to diagnose and manage
- Immune cytopenias within the cGVHD syndrome can be challenging
Early detection strategies include:
- Serial PFTs (pre-transplant, day 80-90, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years)
- Early ophthalmology and dental evaluations
- Patient education about reporting symptoms early
- Regular scheduled follow-ups via telehealth or in-person
Ruxolitinib Effective as Second-Line Therapy for Chronic GvHD
July 15th 2021In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Stephanie Lee, MD, MPH, reviewed the updated data from the REACH3 trial along with the efficacy of ruxolitinib in the greater chronic graft versus host disease population.
Read More
Clinical Treatment Act Aims to Improve Survival, Close Racial Health Care Gap
June 28th 2021Across the United States, the health insurance coverage gap continues to impact millions of patients who are largely low-income or are racial minorities. After years of lobbying, Congress has passed the Clinical Treatment Act, which is legislation designed to improve access to health coverage.
Read More
