title: Recommended screening and preventive evaluation practices of adult candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality. Better selection of HSCT patients for intensive treatment, and consequently reduction of non-beneficial care, may improve the therapeutic outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This manuscript provides a systematic review which examines t he current criteria for selection of HSCT patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identifying patients who may benefit from HSCT involves many factors, including overall health, prior therapies, age, disease, and stage. The decision regarding transplant eligibility should be made on a case by case basis, based on a risk-benefit assessment. The advent of the comorbidity index as a measure of health status at the time of HSCT has facilitated the incorporation of comorbidities into the pre-transplant assessment of patients. Many HSCT protocols are still age-dependent, with criteria limited to patients either younger or older than arbitrary age cut-offs.The prognostic role of age in the transplant setting has never been consistent. As physicians and researchers continue improving the HSCT process and outcomes, optimization of the delivery of a comprehensive treatment plan should become an important component of overall patient management.
authors: a Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit , CTMO, Azienda Ospedaliera 'BMM' , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Fedele
authors: b Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , London , UK.
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Salooja
authors: a Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit , CTMO, Azienda Ospedaliera 'BMM' , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Martino
keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; evaluation; hematological malignancies; preparation