About Stem Cell Cancer Treatment

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Stem cell cancer treatment

Stem cell cancer treatment is a type of treatment that treats cancer by using stem cell transplant, which is also called peripheral blood stem cell transplant. It is used to try and cure some types of cancer such as myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia. Stem cells are very early blood cells in the bone marrow that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. They are needed in order to survive. Your doctor can collect them from a donor or from your blood. After a high dose of treatment which leaves stem cells dead, the stem cells are replaced through an intravenous drip.

Stem cell transplant infuses healthy stem cells into the body to stimulate bone marrow growth, suppress the disease and reduce the possibility of going into remission. Stem cell transplant implies that you can have higher doses of treatment through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, the chances of getting cured are higher.

There are two main types of stem cell transplants. You and your doctor will discuss the best choice for you.

This is also known as auto stem cell transplant. Cancer treatment using autologous stem cell transplant uses your own stem cells. It is used mainly to treat myeloma and lymphoma. There is less risk of rejection or graft-versus-host disease, whereby the new donor cells think your cells are foreign and attack them. Ina addition, engraftment is quicker ad side effects are fewer.

How It Works: Your team of doctors collect, freeze and store your own stem cells. You then undergo treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy after which your stem cells are thawed and transplanted back into you. You may need to go through the above process twice instead of once. This is known as a tandem or double autologous stem cell transplant.

This type of stem cell transplant is also known as allo stem cell transplant. It involves using stem cells that have been donated. It is mainly used to treat leukemia, aggressive lymphomas and autologous transplants that have failed.

How It Works: Stem cells are donated from a matched donor. You then receive treatment using chemotherapy or radiation therapy after which you receive the donor stem cells.

The type and strength of your high-dose treatment is what will influence any side effects you may have and their severity. Possible side effects include:

• Increased risk of infection
• Bleeding due to low blood counts
• Nausea
• Anaemia
• Reduced appetite
• A sore mouth
• Hair loss
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Graft failure

After having a stem cell transplant to treat your cancer, you will have regular tests to check your general health. In addition, monitoring the levels of your blood cells, you will have blood tests. Most of the side effects are worse when your blood count is at its lowest. However, as this goes up, the side effects will begin to improve. You will be able to go home when your blood count has reached a safe level.

Learn more about Stem Cell Cancer Treatment

• Types of stem cell transplants on Web MD
• Stem cell transplants explained on Macmillan Cancer Support