Gynaecological care after stem cell transplant: An overview. (November 2017) - Brennan, Annabelle
Highlights: Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care after a stem cell transplant involves gynaecological follow-up. Menopausal hormone therapy should be considered for women with menopausal symptoms after a stem cell transplant. After a stem cell transplant, regular gynaecological follow-up should be undertaken by an experienced specialist. Abstract: Haematopoietic stem cell transplants are an important treatment for haematological malignancies. With increasing efficacy of treatment, it has become important to provide comprehensive long-term follow-up by experienced specialists in a multidisciplinary setting. This article gives an overview of the gynaecological implications of haematopoietic stem cell transplants, including appropriate pre-treatment counselling, the development of menopausal symptoms, bone loss, genital graft-versus-host disease and secondary genital malignancies. The evidence surrounding the occurrence, symptoms and management of these complications is outlined based on current clinical guidelines where possible. Although high-level data regarding this specific patient population are generally lacking, observational data and data from other immunocompromised populations are discussed. This article provides a clear and clinically focused framework for care for clinicians involved in the gynaecological management of these patients and outlines areas for further research to improve patient care.