The stem cell transplant team works in coordination with the patient, family and the referring physician to deliver the best possible care and outcome. The procedure of transplant may differ in patients, but in general, it includes the following.
Pre-transplant testing
Deciding which type of transplantation will be most appropriate – autologous or syngeneic or allogeneic
Extracting stem cells from the patient or a donor – Stem cells can be obtained through a process called apheresis. It is a painless procedure and involves taking the blood from a vein and circulating it through a machine which can remove the stem cells and send the remaining blood and plasma back to the patient.
The bone marrow stem cells are harvested from the donor by placing a needle in the soft centre or marrow of the bone. The procedure may cause some pain to the donor after it is complete.
Conditioning – In conditioning treatment, chemotherapy and radiation therapy is given to the patient to destroy the affected cells. This creates space in the bone marrow so that the transplanted stems can populate.
Infusion of healthy stem cells – The stem cells are transplanted to the patient through intravenous infusion.
Engraftment and recovery – The transplanted stem cells enter the blood and bone marrow and start producing healthy cells. The engraftment process can take two to three weeks, and the patient will have to stay in the hospital during this period to monitor their condition and side effects.