Chronic Graft-versus-host Disease (GVHD) Clinic

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can occur in children who have received a BMT for their cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. GVHD only affects patients who have received a transplant with cells from others.

Symptoms of GVHD include:

• Dry eyes
• Skin rash
• Mouth sores
• Joint stiffness
• Lung problems
• Weight loss

How is GVHD treated?

A variety of immunosuppressive medications can be used to prevent and treat GVHD. Treatment options are determined based on the patient’s individual needs.

Through our GVHD Clinic, patients recieve indiviudalized, comprehensive care plans that allow them to live healthy, normal lives.

Can GVHD be cured?

GVHD treatment is successful for many patients. Patients may need to be treated for months to years depending on the symptoms and severity. Our team works with the patient and the patients family to identify treatment goals to achieve long term cure with the fewest side effects.

The doctors and specialists at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center understand the importance of early detection and treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The goal of our GVHD Clinic is to create individualized care plans for each patient, allowing them to live their fullest lives with this condition.

The GVHD Clinic, which opened in 2015, offers a specialized, team-based approach for patients at risk of or diagnosed with GVHD. The Clinic’s multidisciplinary team of experts includes physicians and nurses from our blood and marrow transplant (BMT), pulmonology, endocrinology, dermatology, nutrition and physical therapy programs. Together, these experts formulate a consolidated plan for each patient’s individual needs, providing comprehensive treatment and a path forward.

Our GVHD Clinic welcomes all children and teens who are at risk of or diagnosed with GVHD. During quarterly visits, your child will be seen by members of our specialized, multidisciplinary team, who will work closely to provide comprehensive, collaborative care. At the end of each visit, your child will be given an individualized care plan to manage their condition, complications that may arise and anything else they may need between visits.

Hematology/Oncology

• Muna Qayed, MD, MSc
• Kirsten Williams, MD
• Ellen Olson, NP

Pulmonology

• Dawn M Simon, MD

Dermatology

• Leslie P Lawley, MD