What GVHD Looks Like

Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) tends to show up as different symptoms and may affect different organs, including:

Skin

Acute symptoms

• Redness of palms and feet
• Rash over parts of the body
• Sensitive, itching or dry skin

 

Chronic symptoms

• Darkened and dry skin
• Peeling of skin

 

General GVHD symptoms affecting the skin may also include rash, itching, skin tightness and texture changes.

 

Gastrointestinal tract

Acute symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal cramps

 

Chronic symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Difficulty eating
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth

 

General symptoms are similar, including nausea, vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite, weight loss and blood in the stool.

 

Liver

Acute symptoms

• Enlarged liver
• Increased liver function test (bloodwork)
• Abdominal tenderness

 

Chronic symptoms

• Slow, steady increase in liver function test (bloodwork)
• Enlarged liver
• Abdominal tenderness

 

General GVHD symptoms affecting the liver include unexpected weight gain, bloating, yellowing of the eyes, fatigue and difficulty breathing.

 

Lungs

Chronic symptoms

• Difficulty taking deep breaths
• Shortness of breath

 

General lung symptoms include an unremitting cough, lack of stamina, fagitue and shortness of breath.

 

Eyes

Chronic symptoms

• Dry eyes
• Sensitivity to light

 

General symptoms affecting the eyes include dryness, irritation that does not go away and vision changes.

 

Mouth

General symptoms

• Sores
• Pain
• Irritation that does not go away
• Difficulty opening

 

Genitals

General symptoms

• Dryness or irritation
• Rashes
• Painful intercourse