[Survivorship and long-term follow-up after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a curative treatment strategy; however, long-term survivors of allo-HCT are at risk of experiencing late adverse effects, including chronic graft-versus-host disease, immunocompromised status, endocrine diseases, secondary cancers, and psychosocial issues. Long-term follow-up (LTFU) clinics for patients who have undergone allo-HCT play a role in the screening and prevention of these late effects. We conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey to characterize the current operation of LTFU clinics in Japan and showed that the establishment rate of LTFU clinics in 188 participating centers was 63%. The influencing factors in the establishment or management of long-term follow-up clinics were analyzed. Several factors were extracted, such as "lack of human resources" and "patients' and physicians' lack of understanding of the importance of LTFU" as inhibiting factors and "utilization of tools" as a promoting factor. The development of common LTFU tools, introduction of an electronic patient-reported outcome system, and further increase in the number of certified staff might facilitate the establishment of an efficient and sustainable LTFU system.