Stem cell transplant complications
The process of getting a stem cell transplant is complex. There are several steps to the process, and all of them come with a risk of complications. There are also side effects to some of the medications involved.
Chemotherapy side effects
With any stem cell transplant, you first need a round of chemotherapy drugs to kill off all the unhealthy cells in your body. The chemo treatment has significant side effects, including:
These side effects usually start to get better several weeks after the treatment.
Chemotherapy can affect your future fertility. The drugs used to kill cancer cells can also cause organ damage. Many people have damage to their reproductive organs and cannot conceive without assistance after chemotherapy. Discuss your fertility concerns with your doctor before treatment.
Autologous stem cell transplant side effects
Your doctor will first give you medication to stimulate extra stem cell growth then harvest the cells that develop. The process can cause fatigue, fever, and achiness after the injection.
You will need a central venous catheter placed in your chest. That will be used for harvesting your cells before the procedure. There is a risk of infection at the catheter site as well as the possibility of pain from the procedure.
Allogenic stem cell transplant side effects
As with an autologous transplant, you will need a central venous catheter placed in your chest. The risks for that include infection and pain at the site.
There is also a risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD). White blood cells from donor stem cells can respond to your body’s own cells like foreign tissue and attack them. Symptoms of GVHD include:
You may be able to control GVHD with medication such as steroids or drugs to suppress immune reactions.
In rare cases, the donor stem cells don’t multiply the way they’re supposed to. This is called graft failure. If this happens, you may need to repeat the stem cell transplant to try again.
Other complications
With all stem cell transplants, there is a risk of infection in the months afterward. Your immune system will be very weak as it rebuilds itself, and you will have difficulty fighting off even mild diseases. Your doctor will advise you to limit activities to reduce your risk of getting sick.
You are also at risk of bleeding incidents. Your body will have low numbers of platelets, which are the cells responsible for making your blood clot. You will need to avoid activities where you could be injured until your platelet counts are sufficient.
Cancer can come back even after a stem cell transplant. Relapse can occur at any time. You should continue to see your doctor for follow-up care so that you can detect relapse early when it’s easier to treat.
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