Symptom control in stem cell transplantation: a multidisciplinary palliative care team approach. Part 2: psychosocial concerns.

Abstract

Stem cell transplantation (SCT) offers a potential cure for patients with otherwise incurable benign and malignant disorders. However, the treatment will cause considerable physical, social, psychological, and spiritual suffering. In part 1 of this review, the management of the physical symptoms was reviewed. In part 2, we discuss the approaches to managing the other aspects of distress that are primarily psychological, social, and spiritual in nature. In practice, these dimensions are not so easily distinguished; the division between physical and psychological symptoms is blurred, and physical symptoms are often interrelated with the patient's emotional status and social support.