What to expect during the stem cell transplant?

Stem cell transplant of bone marrow from one person to another is useful while treating aplastic anemia, immunodeficiency disorder, acute leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and testicular cancer among others.

Stem cells are those special types of cells that can give rise to more specifically differentiated daughter cells. Stem cells are collected from the bone marrow or peripheral blood and are used in hematological transplants.

The bone marrow cells, umbilical cord blood or peripheral blood, are used for stem cell transplant as they are capable to reconstitute bone marrow and also to restore lymphohematopoietic function.

Types :

• Autologous: If the stem cells are taken from the recipient it is known as an autologous transplant.
• Allogeneic: If the stem cells are retrieved from the matched donor-related or unrelated.
• Syngeneic: when stem cells are donated by an identical twin.

A stem cell transplant is usually done after chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

What to expect during the stem cell transplant?

During the procedure of stem cell transplant, the recipient receives healthy blood-forming cells to replace the ones we’re destroyed either due to the disease or during radiation therapy or during chemotherapy. The stem cells are collected from the healthy blood cells or bone marrow of the recipient or are taken from the umbilical cord of a newborn child.

Blood-forming stem cell transplant:

The blood is collected from the vein of an arm of the donor, who is the recipient also or from some other donor. The collected blood is put into a special machine that segregates stem cells. The rest of the blood may or may not be reintroduced in the donor’s vein through the other arm. The procedure of extraction of stem cells is done before chemotherapy or radiation therapy if the donor is the recipient of the stem cells.

After completion of the radiation therapy or chemotherapy, the stem cells are administered to the patient. The stem cells are introduced in the body through the catheter which is placed in a blood vessel in the chest.

Complications:

Complications after stem cell transplant usually happen because of rejection by the body to the donor stem cells.

Complications caused in cases of autologous transplant:

• Bleeding
• Anemia
• Interstitial pneumonia
• Infections
• Drying of mouth, esophagus, lungs or other body organs.
• Rarely cataract and infertility is also seen
• Chances of secondary cancer.

Complications caused in cases of allogeneic transplant:

• Rash, itchy and scaly skin
• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice
• Dryness of mouth, esophagus, lungs and other organs.
• Rarely relapse of cancer

When is a patient discharged after a stem cell transplant?

A person is discharged only if:

• Has no fever for 24 to 48 hours
• Gastrointestinal symptoms are controlled
• Can eat and drink on their own
• Have safe levels of blood cell count.
• They can take the medicines on their own.
• Have some to take care of at home.