Graft-versus-Host Disease What to Know, What to Do

View Graft-versus-Host Disease Booklet

by Susan Stewart with Anna Schaal RN, BSN, MS, ARNP
Illustrations by Norm Bendell
© 2026

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication that often occurs after a transplant using cells from a donor (an allogeneic transplant).  This patient information brochure will help you understand:

• What causes GVHD
• The difference between acute and chronic GVHD
• Organs and tissues that can be affected by GVHD
• How to monitor yourself for symptoms
• Treatment options and their side effects
• Managing the risk of infection
• Coping with the stress of GVHD
• The role of the caregiver/care partner
• How to find a GVHD specialist
• How to enroll in a GVHD clinical trial
   

Managing GVHD requires a close working relationship between you and your healthcare team.  The more you know, the better equipped you will be to take charge of your GVHD.

Many thanks to the following medical advisors and GVHD experts who reviewed and contributed to the content of this book:

• Amin Alousi, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Michelle Bishop, PhD, Coping with Cancer & Caregiving, LLC
• Guang-Shing Cheng, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
• Betty Hamilton, MD, Cleveland Clinic
• Najla El Jurdi, MD, National Cancer Institute
• Stephanie J. Lee, MD, MPH, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
• Zhonghui Katie Luo, MD, PhD, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
• Navneet Majhail, MD, MS, Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network
• Alina Markova, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Jacqueline W. Mays, DDS, MHSc, PhD, National Institute of
• Dental and Craniofacial Research

and to Sanofi whose support helped make this booklet possible.

Click here to order a similar GVHD booklet in Spanish