Application of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-distress thermometer in pediatric patients during autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and relationship to blood parameters of the stress axis.

Purpose: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) are extremely stressful procedures for pediatric patients. The activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical axis (HPA) can influence the immune system negatively and therefore the overall outcome. The distress thermometer (DT) is an easy to use tool for the self-assessment of perceived distress.