An overview of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
An autologous stem cell transplant is a medical procedure that involves replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from the patient's own body. The process includes taking medications to increase the number of stem cells in the blood, filtering the stem cells from the blood, adding a preservative to the stem cells, and then freezing and storing them for later use. After the patient undergoes high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to treat their disease, the stored stem cells are infused back into the patient's bloodstream, where they travel to the bone marrow and begin creating new blood cells.
What is Autologous Stem Cell Transplant used for?
An autologous stem cell transplant is used to treat diseases that require high doses of chemotherapy and radiation, which can damage the bone marrow. It involves using healthy blood stem cells from the patient's own body to replace the damaged bone marrow. This type of stem cell transplant is typically used for the following conditions:
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Plasma cell disorders
During the process, medications are taken to increase the number of stem cells in the blood, and then these cells are filtered and frozen for later use. After undergoing high doses of conditioning treatment, the patient receives the infusion of stem cells, which travel to the bone marrow and start producing new blood cells. The patient will be closely monitored for side effects and to ensure the transplant's success.
How to prepare for Autologous Stem Cell Transplant?
Patients undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant typically need to prepare for the procedure by taking medications to increase the number of stem cells in their blood. These medications cause the stem cells to increase in number and move out of the bone marrow and into the bloodstream, making them easier to collect. Patients may also need to undergo a conditioning process, which involves high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill cancer cells and prepare the body for the transplant. It is important for patients to discuss any concerns or questions they may have with their healthcare team before undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant.
How is Autologous Stem Cell Transplant conducted?
An autologous stem cell transplant typically involves several steps:
- Stem cell collection: Medications are used to increase the number of stem cells in the blood. A needle is then inserted into a vein in the arm to draw out the blood, which is passed through a machine that filters out the stem cells. The collected stem cells are frozen and stored for later use.
- High-dose cancer treatment (conditioning): After the stem cells are collected, the patient undergoes high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill cancer cells and damage bone marrow. This conditioning process prepares the body for the stem cell transplant.
- Stem cell infusion: Once the conditioning process is complete, the filtered stem cells are thawed and infused into the bloodstream. The stem cells travel to the bone marrow, where they begin creating new blood cells.
During the entire process, the patient will be closely monitored by the healthcare team to manage side effects and ensure the transplant is successful.
Understanding the report
Autologous stem cell transplant results are interpreted by monitoring the patient's recovery process, detection of side effects, and the effectiveness of the treatment in combating the underlying disease. After the transplant, frequent meetings with the care team are necessary to assess the patient's response to the procedure, monitor side effects, and ensure the new bone marrow is functioning properly. The success of an autologous stem cell transplant depends on various factors, including the patient's overall health, the type and stage of the disease being treated, and the effectiveness of the pre-transplant treatments. Improvement in the patient's symptoms, reduction in disease progression, and the regeneration of healthy blood cells are indicators of a successful transplant outcome. Autologous stem cell transplants are not without risks, and side effects may occur during the treatment process. These can include infections, anemia, fatigue, nausea, and bone pain, among others. Close monitoring by the healthcare team helps to detect and manage these side effects in a timely manner.