Psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of bone marrow transplantation

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is being increasingly used to treat children and adults with a variety of life-threatening diseases. Although BMT is a life-saving intervention in many instances, it is a high-technology procedure--both aggressive and life-threatening--associated with an array of physical and psychological stressors. Therefore, psychiatric and psychosocial research and intervention can greatly contribute to the understanding and management of BMT recipients, donors, and their families. Seven major areas of psychiatric and psychosocial concern in BMT are identified and the literature relevant to each area is reviewed.