Stem Cell Transplant: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Stem-cell transplant therapy is the use of stem cells in order to treat or prevent any disease or condition like cancers. This treatment method aims to cure some types of blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The most commonly used treatment method is the bone marrow treatment which is why this procedure is alternatively called so. In a bone marrow transplantation method, healthy blood stem cells are infused medically in the body of the patient and these new stem cells replace the damaged or diseased bone marrow.

Bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant can be mainly of two types. They are, Allogeneic stem cell transplant and Autologous stem cell transplant. In an autologous transplant, the patients use cells from their own body while in allogeneic transplant, a donor’s stem cells are used. Apart from these two, umbilical cord blood transplant and other methods may also be used.

After the pretransplant tests and procedures, patients begin with the first part of the stem cell transplant process. This process is called the conditioning. In this treatment procedure, patients are given chemotherapy and at times even radiation therapy to destroy the damaged bone marrow. This will help to suppress the body’s immune system and also prepare it for the new stem cells apart from destroying the cancer cells. The type of conditioning for the patient depends on factors like the disease, overall health and the type of transplant planned. Another type called the reduced-intensity conditioning, uses low doses of different types of chemotherapy or radiation. When the donor’s stem cells are infused in the body, they, over time, replace the damaged old stem cells and the body’s immune system helps to kill the cancer cells.

Stem cell transplantation can be divided into several types. They are hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), autologous stem-cell transplantationm (ASCT), peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) etc. Stem cell transplantation is widely known as bone marrow transplantation as this procedure is the most widely used.

Based mostly on the disease of the patient, the doctor will recommend either allo- or auto- geneic treatment procedure. In order to select the appropriate transplant method, overall health of the patient and his/ her age and other factors are also taken into consideration. The donor (in case of allogeneic treatment) and the patient need to undergo certain tests prior treatment procedure.

In case of auto transplant, where the patient’s own stem cells are used, the stem cells are collected and stored through a thin tube called a “transplant catheter” until transplant. The patient is also provided with injections of a medication to raise the number of white blood cells which help to fight infections. The stem cells are collected and stored from the blood. Then, the patient is given chemotherapy and depending on the severity, radiation therapy through the tube. After a procedure of five to ten days, through the transplant catheter, doctors put back the stem cells in the patient’s body. This is known as the stem cell transplant.

In case of allogeneic transplant procedure, the method is the same but instead of storing the patient’s stem cells, the donors stem cells are collected and stored. Injections are thereafter given to increase the white blood cells. After chemotherapy with or without radiation, the donor’s stem cells are put into the body of the patient with an operation.

Side effects of a stem cell transplantation treatment depends mainly on the following factors. They include the type of drugs used in chemotherapy, if radiation therapy was given before the transplant, the type of transplant used and the overall health condition of the patient. Side effects of this methods of treatment can occur any time during, immediately after or days to months after stem cell transplant. Major side effects go away on their own or can be treated with the use of medicines, but some side effects can last for a longer time or become permanent in the patient. Most common side effects of the conditioning process are nausea and vomiting, infection, bleeding, anaemia, diarrhea, hair loss, mouth sores or ulcers, infertility or sterility, fatigue and cataracts. One major side effect is the organ complication in the heart, liver or lungs. They may start failing due to this treatment. Also, another side effect can occur which is known as the Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This disease occurs when the immune cells from the donor see the recipient’s body as foreign. This is mostly noted in allogeneic transplants. Another adverse effect associated with allogeneic procedure is known as Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) where tiny veins and other blood vessels inside the liver become blocked. Also, several after years of treatment, cancer may relapse or new cancer cells may develop as a consequence of the treatment.

Time taken for recovery depends on the type of transplant procedure and individuals. After an autogenic treatment, patients are provided with antibiotics and other drugs to prevent or cure any side effect. If required, they get blood transfusions through the transplant catheter. Time taken by the patients to recover after this treatment is approximately 2 weeks. For an allogeneic treatment method also, patients take antibiotics and other drugs which includes medications to prevent graft-versus-host disease. In this case, the time taken by each individual patient varies. For an ablative transplant procedure, patients are required to stay usually in the hospital for about 4 weeks in total. In the case of a reduced intensity transplant, patients either stay in the hospital or visit the clinic daily for about 1 week. After this, mostly, the patients show remarkable progress in their health conditions.

The cost of stem cell transplant is pretty high in comparison to other treatment options. This procedure can incur around Rs 450000/- to around Rs 650000/- depending on the type of treatment and severity of the condition. In some centres the treatment cost may be higher depending on the other associated tests and post treatment care.

Multiple clinical studies on patients with bone marrow transplant have shown that when effective, the results last for many years. Thus, the result can be considered permanent to some extent. But, sometimes, after several years of treatment, people may find recurring symptoms of cancer. These cancer cells could relapse or could be caused as an adverse effect of the stem cell transplant treatment. In such circumstances, the treatment thereafter becomes very difficult. Hence, people need to be very cautious and careful in order to prevent any further complications.