Bone marrow and stem cell transplants are effective methods used to treat hematologic malignancies e.g. leukemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Transplantation, considered as new hope of a cure, helps restoring the body’s ability to produce new blood cells after achieving complete remission by the administration of high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation. Besides attaining the best possible treatment outcomes, our highly experienced hematologists have expertise in monitoring and managing graft versus host disease (GVHD) which is an immune-mediated condition resulting from a complex interaction between donor and recipient adaptive immunity. Effective management significantly reduces the chances of failure and mortality rates. As a result, the chances of being cured from blood cancers are considerably high, especially in patients who received timely treatment.
Before starting treatment
Prior to bone marrow and stem cell transplant, patients need to undergo a series of tests and procedures to assess their general health and the status of their conditions in order to ensure that they are physically prepared for the transplant. More importantly, patients need to understand their requirement for the transplant as well as all processes of treatments and expected outcomes. Possible side effects and complications caused by the transplant might arise at anytime during treatment. These often include infections due to suppressed immune function, side effects or adverse drug reactions from high-dose chemotherapy and graft versus host disease which is a possible complication of receiving a stem cell or bone marrow transplant from another person (an allogeneic transplant). Therefore, close supervision and appropriate management of these undesired effects remain extremely important.
Important Notice
A series of laboratory tests and procedures is involved during treatment in order to ensure that patients are physically eligible for receiving high-dose chemotherapy as a part of the transplant with less chances of complications. Patients’ conditions must be applicable to remain in the sterilization rooms to continue treatment for a month or even longer in some cases.