Blood Transfusion (PDF) - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Blood Transfusion (PDF) - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Blood Transfusion (PDF) - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
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transfusions is more common than it is with red cell transfusions. Culturing all<br />
pheresis platelets for bacteria was started in March 2004 in the United States, and<br />
methods of doing the same for platelets made from whole blood have been more<br />
recently introduced.<br />
Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Donor white cells (lymphocytes) can<br />
attack the recipient’s skin, liver, bowel and marrow after blood or marrow stem<br />
cell transplantation. <strong>The</strong> result of this attack is called “graft-versus-host disease”<br />
(GVHD). Donor lymphocytes from a blood transfusion have the potential to<br />
produce a similar reaction in the recipient. Although this is very uncommon, it<br />
may happen in patients who have decreased immune system function, referred<br />
to as “immunosuppressed” or “immunocompromised.” Immunosuppression can<br />
result from a disease or intense or prolonged chemotherapy or radiation therapy.<br />
Most centers treat all blood components for transfusion to patients who are severely<br />
immunosuppressed with irradiation. Fortunately, this very severe complication is<br />
rare and almost never occurs after transfusion of irradiated blood. Recipients of<br />
stem cell transplants may develop GVHD, but this complication is usually easier to<br />
manage than GVHD resulting from transfusions.<br />
Effect on a Patient’s Immune System. <strong>The</strong>re is a controversial theory that<br />
transfusions can cause decreases in immune function. <strong>The</strong> medical term for this<br />
effect is “immunomodulation.” It is not clear what the implications of this effect, if<br />
any, are for patients with blood cancer. In other clinical settings (surgery), filtering<br />
out white cells from transfusion components appears to prevent deleterious<br />
immune effects of transfusion to a large degree and this process should be used for<br />
all patients with blood cancer who receive transfusions.<br />
More Information<br />
Free LLS publications include<br />
Acute Lymphoblastic <strong>Leukemia</strong><br />
Acute Myeloid <strong>Leukemia</strong><br />
<strong>Blood</strong> and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation<br />
Chronic Lymphocytic <strong>Leukemia</strong><br />
Chronic Myelogenous <strong>Leukemia</strong><br />
Hodgkin <strong>Lymphoma</strong><br />
Non-Hodgkin <strong>Lymphoma</strong><br />
Myelodysplastic Syndromes<br />
Myeloma<br />
Understanding Clinical Trials for <strong>Blood</strong> Cancers<br />
Understanding Drug <strong>The</strong>rapy and Managing Side Effects<br />
Understanding Lab and Imaging Tests<br />
<strong>Blood</strong> <strong>Transfusion</strong> I page 19