What is a Bloodless Stem Cell Transplant?
Winter 2001
Stem cells are rare but powerful cells that
reside in your bone marrow. These important cells,
frequently referred to as the "mother cell," divide
and grow to produce three main types of mature
cells found in your blood:
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen from
the lungs to the entire body
- white blood cells, that fight bacteria and
viruses that cause infection
- platelets, which help blood to clot when
bleeding occurs
Stem cells can be forced from the bone marrow
into the blood stream, removed, frozen and saved
for later use through a process called apheresis.
The removal and return of the stem cells is called
a stem cell transplant. A stem cell transplant
allows for higher doses of chemotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy, while intended to kill the cancer,
can also destroy bone marrow. Following chemotherapy,
your own stem cells are thawed and given back
intravenously. These transplanted cells will
produce new cells that will mature into red or
white blood cells or platelets.
Bloodless stem cell transplants are now available
for some patients suffering from lymphoma and
multiple myeloma. To safely complete this treatment,
your hemoglobin level must be 11 or higher prior
to starting high dose chemotherapy treatments.
At the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery
at Pennsylvania Hospital (CBMS), you will receive
iron and erythropoietin (EPO) treatments to increase
your hemoglobin level. Following your chemotherapy
treatment, the Center will provide constant medical
treatment to increase your platelet count.
Bloodless stem cell patients need to be close
to the hospital for six to eight weeks during
treatment. During this time period, CBMS staff
members are available to assist with accommodations,
transportation, and any other needs that you
or your family may have during this time period.
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