Step 1: Collecting your stem cells. This step takes several days. First, you will get injections (shots) of a medication to increase your stem cells. Then your health care team collects the stem cells through a vein in your arm or your chest. The cells will be stored until they are needed.
Step 2: Pre-transplant treatment. This step takes 5 to 10 days. You will get a high dose of chemotherapy. Occasionally, patients also have radiation therapy.
Step 3: Getting your stem cells back. This step is your transplant day. It takes about 30 minutes for each dose of stem cells. This is called an infusion. Your health care team puts the stem cells back into your bloodstream through the catheter. You might have more than one infusion.
Step 4: Recovery. Your doctor will closely monitor your cells' recovery and growth and you will take antibiotics to reduce infection. Your health care team will also treat any side effects. Read more details below about recovering from a bone marrow transplant.
How does an ALLO transplant work?
Step 1: Identifying donors Before the ALLO transplant process can begin, a suitable donor must be found. Blood tests will be used to determine your HLA type. After that, your medical team will collaborate with you to conduct HLA testing on potential family donors and, if necessary, search a volunteer registry of donors who are not related to you.
Step 2: obtaining your donor's stem cells. Cells will be taken from your donor's blood or bone marrow by your healthcare team. Before the collection, your donor will receive daily injections (shots) of a medication to increase the number of white blood cells in their blood if the cells are coming from the bloodstream. The stem cells are then extracted from their blood. Your donor undergoes a procedure known as a bone marrow harvest in a hospital's operating room if the cells come from bone marrow.
Step 3: Treatment prior to transplant. 5 to 7 days are needed for this step. In order to get your body ready to receive the donor's cells, you will receive chemotherapy, either with or without radiation therapy.
Step 4: obtaining donor cells The day of your transplant is here. Through the catheter, the donor's stem cells are infused into your bloodstream by your healthcare team. Typically, obtaining the donor cells takes less than an hour.
Step 5: Recovery. You will receive antibiotics to lower your risk of infection during your initial recovery as well as other medications, including GVHD-preventing and -managing medications. Your medical team will also treat any transplant-related side effects. Learn more below about recovering from a bone marrow transplant.
What is recovering from a bone marrow transplant like?
Recovery from a bone marrow/stem cell transplant takes a long time. Recovery often has stages, starting with intensive medical monitoring after your transplant day. As your long-term recovery moves forward, you will eventually transition to a schedule of regular medical checkups over the coming months and years.
During the initial recovery period, it's important to watch for signs of infection. The intensive chemotherapy treatments that you get before your transplant also damage your immune system. This is so your body can accept the transplant without attacking the stem cells. It takes time for your immune system to work again after the transplant. This means that you are more likely to get an infection right after your transplant.
To reduce your risk of infection, you will get antibiotics and other medications. If you had an ALLO transplant, your medications will include drugs to prevent and/or manage GVHD. Follow your health care team's recommendations for how to prevent infection immediately after your transplant.
How do you know if the transplant worked?
What a successful transplant means to you, your family, and your medical team may vary. Here are 2 ways to determine whether your transplant was successful.
Your blood counts have returned to normal. A blood count determines the quantities of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells in your blood. These values initially drop dramatically after the transplant for one to two weeks. You are more susceptible to infections, bleeding, and fatigue as a result of this affecting your immune system. By administering blood and platelet transfusions to you, your medical team will reduce these risks. In order to help avoid infections, you will also take antibiotics.
Additional blood cells are produced when the new stem cells multiply. Your blood counts will thereafter return.
Your cancer is controlled. Curing your cancer is often the goal of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. A cure may be possible for certain cancers, such as some types of leukemia and lymphoma. For other diseases, remission of the cancer is the best possible result. Remission is having no signs or symptoms of cancer.
As discussed above, you need to see your doctor and have tests regularly after a transplant. This is to watch for any signs of cancer or complications from the transplant, as well as to provide care for any side effects you experience. This follow-up care is an important part of your recovery.
We at Medisquare superspecialty hospital with the BEST ONCOLOGIST IN AHMEDABAD Dr. Ekta Vala Chandrana is here to provide you the best care needed.
