Histopathology of Graft-vs-Host Disease of Gastrointestinal Tract and Liver: An Update

Abstract

Objectives: Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is a donor T-cell-mediated disorder affecting the recipient's skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and liver. It complicates up to 70% of hematopoietic cell transplantation and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Methods: An extensive review of the literature has been performed to include the most current consensus on the histopathologic diagnosis of gastrointestinal and liver GVHD.

Results: In this review, we present an overview of GVHD, with emphasis on the histopathologic evaluation of gastrointestinal and liver specimens, including the most important differential diagnoses and possible pitfalls.

Conclusions: Histopathologic examination remains the mainstay of diagnosis of gastrointestinal and liver GVHD and is interpreted in conjunction with clinical and laboratory data.

Keywords: GVHD; Gastrointestinal pathology; Graft-vs-host disease; Liver pathology.