Liver Pathology After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is used to treat a variety of hematologic malignancies and autoimmune conditions. The immunosuppressive medications as well as other therapies used both before and after transplantation leave patients susceptible to a wide spectrum of complications, including liver injury. Causes for liver damage associated with stem cell transplantation include sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, graft-versus-host disease, iron overload, and opportunistic infection. Here, the authors review the clinical and pathological findings of these etiologies of liver injury and provide a framework for diagnosis.

Keywords: Graft-versus-host disease; Infection; Iron overload; Liver; Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome; Stem cell transplant; Veno-occlusive disease.