Allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells has potential for cure high risk malignant hematopoietic disorders. Advances in patients' supportive care and in graft versus host disease (GVHD) prevention have improved patient outcome. Although late relapses can occur, they are rare beyond 2 years after transplantation. However a prolonged follow-up is essential because of the risk of long-term complications. Some of them are life threatening (infections, secondary malignancy, chronic GVHD), others affect patient quality of life (chronic GVHD, cataract, osteonecrosis, sterility.). Fatigue, sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction are the most common transplant related side effects and can also significantly impair patient quality of life. Despite these complications, most patients describe their quality of life as good, and consider that the benefit of the transplantation outweight its late effects.
Copyright John Libbey Eurotext 2003.