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Journal of Ovarian Research
Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Review

Reproductive issues in patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: an update

Authors: Maurizio Guida, Maria Antonietta Castaldi, Rosa Rosamilio, Valentina Giudice, Francesco Orio, Carmine Selleri

Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

In 1963 George Mathé announced to the world that he had cured a patient of leukaemia by means of a bone-marrow transplant. Since than much progress has been made and nowadays Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is considered the most effective treatment of numerous severe haematological diseases. Gynaecological complications in HSCT women represent a serious concern for these patients, but often underestimated by clinicians in the view of Overall Survival. The main gynaecological complications of HSCT are represented by: premature ovarian failure (POF), thrombocytopenia-associated menorrhagia, genital symptoms or sexual problems in course of chronic GVHD (cGVHD), osteoporosis, secondary solid tumours due to immunosuppressive drugs to treat cGVHD and severity of cGVHD, and fertility and pregnancy issues. In particular fertility-related issues are always more relevant for patients, whose life expectation is constantly growing up after HSCT.
Thus, taking care of a patient undergoing HSCT should primarily include gynaecological evaluation, even before conditioning regimen or chemotherapy for the underlying malignancy, as, in our opinion, it is of great importance to ensure a complete diagnostic work-up and intervention options to guarantee maximum reproductive health and a better quality of life in HSCT women.
The present review aims at describing principal features of the aforementioned gynaecological complications of HSCT, and to define, on the basis of current international literature, a specific protocol for the prevention, diagnosis, management and follow-up of gynaecological complications of both autologous and heterologous transplantation, before and after the procedure.
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Metadata
Title
Reproductive issues in patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: an update
Authors
Maurizio Guida
Maria Antonietta Castaldi
Rosa Rosamilio
Valentina Giudice
Francesco Orio
Carmine Selleri
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Ovarian Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1757-2215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-016-0279-y

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