Rehabilitation after Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Special Challenge

Cancers (Basel). 2021 Dec 8;13(24):6187. doi: 10.3390/cancers13246187.

Abstract

The general population is getting older and suffer more haematological malignancies despite being physically fit. These malignancies are mainly only curable via an alloHCT, and they are now carried out more frequently. Patients benefit from intensive rehabilitation earlier and may need it repeatedly in cases of severe side effects (e.g., graft-versus-host disease). They can suffer many problems that other cancer patients do not experience, such as severe infections, continued immunosuppression, nutritional restrictions, acute or chronic GvHD, or organ impairments (e.g., lung, eyes). They may also encounter various associated psychological problems, e.g., feeling like a chimera. Rehabilitation centres willing to care for patients after alloHCT should have an experienced multidisciplinary team and should work in close co-operation with the primary transplant centre.

Keywords: alloHCT; exercise; graft-versus-host disease; immunosuppression; rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Review