Always follow the advice of your care team.
Conditioning & Stem Cell Infusion
In preparation for your stem cell transplant, you will receive conditioning (or pre-transplant therapy) to prepare your body to receive the new blood stem cells. Your treatment plan or protocol will determine which pre-transplant therapy you will receive.
Chemotherapy
The type of chemotherapy you receive will depend on your disease and your transplantation protocol. The goal of this chemotherapy is to prepare your body for your stem cell transplant. Chemotherapy prior to transplant can kill cancer cells in your body as well as make space for your stem cells to grow and help your body mount an immune response to your cancer. You will receive your chemotherapy treatment in your room by IV infusion.
The normal cells most likely to be affected are the bone marrow, hair follicles, cells of the mouth, intestinal lining, and reproductive systems. Chemotherapy can bring some or all of the following side effects:
Talk with your care team about ways to manage or reduce the impact of these side effects.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or beams to prepare your body for your transplant. Radiation may be used alone or with other types of treatment. Stem cell transplant patients may receive total body irradiation (TBI) treatment. Unlike radiation that targets a specific area of the body, TBI treats your entire (total) body with radiation to kill cancer cells. If your treatment plan includes radiation, you will go to the Radiation Therapy department in the lower level of BWH.
After radiation therapy, you may experience some or all of the following side effects:
Talk with your care team about ways to manage or reduce the impact of these side effects.
Infusing Your Stem Cells
Stem cell infusion is a very similar process to a blood transfusion. In fact, many patients are surprised by how fast and uneventful the stem cell infusion is. The stem cells come in the same bag that blood comes in and can appear clear, yellow, or pink in color.
The stem cells will be infused through an IV or catheter. The infusion generally lasts from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Your nurse will be present throughout the infusion process, and will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing. Your nurse may give you medication to prevent any minor reactions.
Common side effects during stem cell infusion include:
These reactions may occur up to two hours after the infusion procedure is completed.
The day you receive your new stem cells is referred to as day zero. Your post-transplant tests will be scheduled based on your day zero date.
Chemotherapy
The type of chemotherapy you receive will depend on your disease and your transplantation protocol. The goal of this chemotherapy is to prepare your body for your stem cell transplant. Chemotherapy prior to transplant can kill cancer cells in your body as well as make space for your stem cells to grow and help your body mount an immune response to your cancer. You will receive your chemotherapy treatment in your room by IV infusion.
The normal cells most likely to be affected are the bone marrow, hair follicles, cells of the mouth, intestinal lining, and reproductive systems. Chemotherapy can bring some or all of the following side effects:
- Bone marrow suppression (decreased red and white blood cells and platelets)
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Mouth sores
- Taste changes
- Sterility and/or interruption of the menstrual cycle
- Fatigue (feeling tired/lack of energy)
- Loss of appetite
Talk with your care team about ways to manage or reduce the impact of these side effects.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or beams to prepare your body for your transplant. Radiation may be used alone or with other types of treatment. Stem cell transplant patients may receive total body irradiation (TBI) treatment. Unlike radiation that targets a specific area of the body, TBI treats your entire (total) body with radiation to kill cancer cells. If your treatment plan includes radiation, you will go to the Radiation Therapy department in the lower level of BWH.
After radiation therapy, you may experience some or all of the following side effects:
- Hair loss
- Dry mouth and/or mouth sores
- Sore throat
- Swollen neck glands
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Fever
- Skin color changes and/or skin sensitivities
- Sterility or early menopause
- Fatigue (feeling tired/lack of energy)
Talk with your care team about ways to manage or reduce the impact of these side effects.
Infusing Your Stem Cells
Stem cell infusion is a very similar process to a blood transfusion. In fact, many patients are surprised by how fast and uneventful the stem cell infusion is. The stem cells come in the same bag that blood comes in and can appear clear, yellow, or pink in color.
The stem cells will be infused through an IV or catheter. The infusion generally lasts from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Your nurse will be present throughout the infusion process, and will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing. Your nurse may give you medication to prevent any minor reactions.
Common side effects during stem cell infusion include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Full body flushing/facial flushing, hives, itching
- Nausea/vomiting, abdominal cramps
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain/tightness
- Light headedness
These reactions may occur up to two hours after the infusion procedure is completed.
The day you receive your new stem cells is referred to as day zero. Your post-transplant tests will be scheduled based on your day zero date.