We report a case of fatal transfusion-associated graft versus host disease (GVHD) that developed in a patient with laryngeal cancer. After a 39.6Gy irradiation dose, total laryngectomy with right radical neck dissection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. However, seven days after blood transfusion, high fever (38.5°C) suddenly appeared. On the ninth day, watery diarrhea and facial erythema were observed. On the 12th day, liver disturbance and pancytopenia developed. The patient died on the 16th day because of overwhelming sepsis.
Transfusion-associated GVHD has a mortality rate of more than 90%. Therefore, the most important procedure for preventing GVHD is the use of irradiated blood products. Furthermore unnecessary blood transfusion should be avoided.
