Current approach to early gastrointestinal and liver complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The gastrointestinal (GI) system is one of the most commonly affected sites during a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) due to toxicities of preparative regimens, the accompanying immunodeficiency, and organ damage caused by graft versus host disease. In this review, we focus on early GI and liver complications following autologous (auto-) and allogeneic (allo-) HSCT and clarify both the risk factors and therapeutic strategies. Early GI and liver complications associated with HSCT remain challenging issues. Despite the improvements in this field during the last decade, treatments for these complications still place a significant burden on both patients and the physicians treating these patients. GI and liver complications remain some of the causes of mortality associated with HSCT. For practicing hematologists, oncologists, and gastroenterologists in this field, the awareness and early diagnosis of the GI complications remain important factors to obtain optimal outcomes in this patient population.