Why is this procedure done?
A transplant is done if your stem cells are not working the right way. Stem cells make other kinds of cells. They are made in your bone marrow. If they are healthy, the stem cells make different kinds of blood cells like red cells, white cells, and platelets. ‚
Sometimes, your stem cells are damaged or weakened. If this happens, you may need a stem cell transplant. Your cells are replaced with transplanted cells. These will be healthy and able to make new blood cells for you. ‚
There are different types of transplants you can get. Your doctor will do an exam and run tests. These will help decide the best kind of transplant for you. The type of transplant depends on where the donated cells are coming from. The cells may come from: ‚
- Stem cells removed before you have your pretransplant treatment. This is an autologous transplant. You get your own stem cells back in your body.
- Someone whose blood matches yours. This person can be a sister, brother, parent, or may not be related to you. This is an allogenic transplant. Your stem cells will come from your donor.
- Your identical twin. This is a syngeneic transplant.
- Blood that matches yours from a babys umbilical cord. This is an umbilical cord blood transplant. Stem cells are removed from a newborn baby's umbilical cord at birth. It is stored until needed for a transplant.
What will the results be?
The healthy cells replace the damaged cells. Your blood counts should return to normal. This lets your problem improve. You may go back to your normal activities once you feel well. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Special tests for your heart
- Breathing function tests
- You will have a special I.V. catheter placed. This will be used for the transplant and afterwards as well.
- The stem cells for your transplant will be obtained.
- If the doctor is using your own cells, you will take a drug to make your stem cells grow rapidly.
- A donor will donate the stem cells the day before the procedure. Sometimes, the donor donates them the day of the transplant.
- You may get high doses of chemo, radiation, or both before your transplant. This will knock out the old, damaged cells. Then, your new stem cells will be able to take hold and grow.
- Plan for someone to help you. You will need to be near the hospital for continued care.
What happens during the procedure?
After you have finished your chemo and radiation, it is time for the transplant. Your transplant cells may come from blood or bone marrow. They will go into your I.V. and this takes 1 to 5 hours. You will have this done in your hospital room. The new cells will find their way to the bone marrow. There they will begin to make normal red and white blood cells and platelets. This process is called engraftment. ‚
What happens after the procedure?
In most cases, you will need to stay in the hospital on a special unit until the new cells take hold. Your blood counts will improve and normalize when this happens. This can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. How long this takes depends on the type of transplant you received. You will be more likely to have an infection during this time. You will receive antibiotics and other drugs to help prevent certain infections. ‚
During this time, you will have your blood counts checked each day. You may need to have transfusions of red blood cells or platelets. Your doctor will recheck a bone marrow biopsy after your blood counts improve. This will check to see if your body is making good healthy blood cells. The nurses will help you and your family through this time. You may have problems that need to be watched. These include: ‚
- Fever
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Mouth sores
- Not able to eat
- Upset stomach, throwing up, or loose stools
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Watch for fevers, chills, and bleeding after discharge.
- You may need help from family and friends.
What follow-up care is needed?
You will have routine tests and visits with your doctor. The type of transplant you have will decide on how often you need to have tests done. In some cases, you may need to live close to the hospital for a period of time. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
Your doctor may give you a survivorship care plan that tells you what you need to watch for that may happen a long time later. It will also tell you what the plan is for future visits and how often you may need to do other tests. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to have sex.
- Eat a healthy diet. Ask your doctor about when you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
What problems could happen?
- You may have short-term side effects like:
- Mouth sores
- Loose stools
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Hair loss
- Feeling tired
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Graft versus host disease is when the transplant cells think the new body is foreign and attacks it. This is more common when the transplant comes from an unrelated donor. Graft versus host disease can happen right away or a long time after transplant.
- Sexual problems, such as not able to have children. Your doctor will talk with you about this before your transplant process begins.
- Secondary cancers from the chemo used before transplant.
- Other organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidney may be affected.
Where can I learn more?
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/bone-marrow-transplant ‚
National Marrow Donor Program ‚
http://marrow.org/Patient/Patients_and_Families.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚