Open AccessEarly Detection of Vulvovaginal Graft-Versus-Host Disease: An Integrative Review
Author(s) -
Payton L Ten Hagen,
Christi Bowe,
Joyce E. Dains
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of the advanced practitioner in oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2150-0886
pISSN - 2150-0878
DOI - 10.6004/jadpro.2021.12.7.6
Subject(s) - medicine , disease , cinahl , graft versus host disease , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , transplantation , medline , blinding , randomized controlled trial , surgery , intensive care medicine , psychological intervention , psychiatry , political science , law
Vulvovaginal graft-vs.-host disease (VVGvHD) is a condition caused by a T-cell mounted immune response after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT), which can lead to sclerotic changes of the external genital organs. A common complication of alloHSCT, VVGvHD is underreported and underdiagnosed in female patients. Without detection and treatment, VVGvHD can progress to complete obliteration of the vaginal canal requiring surgical intervention in severe cases.