Neurologic complications of bone marrow transplantation

The various forms of HSCT are or will soon be accepted treatments for an ever-increasing number of hematologic and solid cancers. Attempts to reduce the mortality and morbidity of HSCT and at the same time preserve or increase its efficacy in tumor control include development of nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem-cell transplant strategies [208] and allogeneic laboratory research-enhancing graft acceptance [209,210]. Eventually, these efforts will reduce complication rates of HSCT, including neurologic complications. In the interim, the consultant neuro-oncologist or neurologist with a specific inteest in this field is faced with complex clinical syndromes, neuroradiologic imaging studies and neurophysiologic tests, and generally poorly understood pathophysiologic mechanisms. Prospective studies of HSCT patients in large transplantation centers using clinical registries are needed.