University-affiliated hospitals that have bone marrow transplant units are also engaging in research to find out if this treatment method benefits women who have stage II, III. or IV, breast cancer. You may want to ask your doctor to consult BMT specialist to see if a local research study might benefit you. If you choose this treatment please strongly consider participating in a research study. Doctors in this state need information from research studies to decide whether stem-cell transplant should become part of the regular menu of treatment choices offered to women who get breast cancer. If you find that reading this material is too uncomfortable for you, ask your doctor or nurse to explain this procedure.
Stem cells are white and medium-sized compared with other blood cells.
The process you'll go through in this treatment begins with tests to find out how much cancer you have and whether the cancer responds to chemotherapy. These tests check for illnesses or infections other than cancer, which could make it more difficult for you to go through this treatment. The transplant team can help you if you have difficulty getting this treatment covered by your health insurer. The other end comes out through your skin. Usually, the tube is placed somewhere on your chest so that you can cover it with clothing for the three to six months that it is in your body.