A stem cell transplant is the infusion into your body of your own healthy stem cells or another person’s, referred to as a donor. Stem cell transplantation is similar to a blood transfusion, with the delivery of the stem cells made via a central line.
A central line is a tube that’s passed through a vein, aka intravenous catheter. It’s surgically implanted, usually in the chest area by the neck, and remains in place throughout your treatment period.
The central line is where the transplanted stem cells will be slowly introduced into your body, and this process could take an hour or more to complete. During your stem cell transplantation you may experience side effects of headache or nausea. This central line may also be used to take a blood sample and administer chemotherapy, a blood transfusion or even nutritional support if necessary.
Because stem cells are frozen and then thawed, they contain a preservative that protects them. So you could experience side effects caused by the preservative, including:
Once the stem cells are transplanted into your body, they’ll travel to your bone marrow cavities and begin making new bone marrow and stem cells for the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. After a successful stem cell transplant your blood counts should start to increase within a week or two.
The overall reasons for having stem cell transplantation is to replace bone marrow stem cells that have been destroyed by drugs, radiation or disease, leaving you vulnerable to infections, anemia and excessive bleeding. Some of the treatments and health conditions for which a stem cell transplant may be performed include:
- myelodysplastic syndrome
- blood cancers ~ leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma
- post cancer treatments ~ high doses of chemo, radiation
- bone marrow disorders ~ aplastic anemia, amyloidosis, Fanconi anemia, idiopathic myelofibrosis
A stem cell transplant is not infused into you without some serious potential complications, such as:
- death
- cataracts
- organ damage
- stem cell failure
- secondary cancers
- graft-versus-host disease
Graft-versus-host disease occurs when a donor’s transplanted stem cells attack your body, causing symptoms like skin rashes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Prior to receiving stem cell transplantation you’ll likely go through a conditioning process. For instance, conditioning may involve undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation to suppress your immune system to prevent transplanted stem cell rejection. And the drug side effects of this conditioning can include:
- fatigue
- anemia
- diarrhea
- bleeding
- infertility
- hair loss
- cataracts
- nausea & vomiting
- mouth sores, ulcers
- infections ~ pneumonia
- heart, liver or lung failure
However, what your conditioning process actually entails depends on your particular health situation.
After your stem cell transplantation, it could take upwards of a year for your blood cells reach normal levels and your weakened immune system to rejuvenate. And this recovery is usually quicker if your own stem cells are used rather than those from a donor.
Many who have a stem cell transplant go on and live a healthy life.