Treatments
There’s no single way to treat a blood cancer…..every patient is different, has different needs, and responds differently to the approaches available. Many new therapies have changed blood cancer treatment, allowing patients to avoid lengthy hospital stays far from home. Treatment should begin with the patient and family asking questions and having their personal concerns addressed.
Questions to ask
Hearing that you or a loved one has leukemia or another blood-related disease is difficult, at best. Many treatment centers view the disease as one that the entire family has to cope with, and urge both the patient and family to ask questions, seek information, and become actively involved in the treatment protocol. But as a patient or family member, you may not be aware of the types of questions you should ask. Our list of questions for your doctor and others at a treatment center may help you gain information that will be helpful in coping with what lies ahead in your treatment plan.
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When the first diagnosis has been made
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When exploring options for treating your cancer
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When deciding where to get professional help
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When inquiring about your insurance benefits
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When thinking ahead
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Transplants
Stem cell transplant is the replacement of damaged bone marrow cells with healthy cells (stem cells). These stem cells are immature cells that are produced in the bone marrow that make more stem cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Stem cells can be taken from bone marrow, from the bloodstream or from umbilical cord blood.
Stem cells transplants that use stem cells donated by someone else are called allogeneic transplants. When a person’s own stem cells are used, it is called an autologous transplant. The success of a transplant can depend on the person’s age and general health and whether the donated calls match the body’s cells. There are serious complications that occur after a transplant that include rejection of the new stem cells, destruction of other cells in the body or a severe often life threatening infection.
Autologous stem cell transplants are done using peripheral blood cells. The stem cells are taken from blood. The blood is removed from a vein and passed through a machine that separates the stem cells. The machine returns the remaining blood through a needle in the person’s arm or through a central venous catheter. This way of collecting stem cells is called apheresis. In adults, most autologous transplants use stem cells from blood. In a child, the stem cells can come from the bone marrow as well.
When stem cells come from another person it is called an allogeneic transplant. The donor may be a relative or a complete stranger. The donor’s immune system markers must match closely to the person receiving the cells.
Sometimes the stem cells come from the blood inside a newborn’s umbilical cord.
Stem cells transplants that use stem cells donated by someone else are called allogeneic transplants. When a person’s own stem cells are used, it is called an autologous transplant. The success of a transplant can depend on the person’s age and general health and whether the donated calls match the body’s cells. There are serious complications that occur after a transplant that include rejection of the new stem cells, destruction of other cells in the body or a severe often life threatening infection.
Autologous stem cell transplants are done using peripheral blood cells. The stem cells are taken from blood. The blood is removed from a vein and passed through a machine that separates the stem cells. The machine returns the remaining blood through a needle in the person’s arm or through a central venous catheter. This way of collecting stem cells is called apheresis. In adults, most autologous transplants use stem cells from blood. In a child, the stem cells can come from the bone marrow as well.
When stem cells come from another person it is called an allogeneic transplant. The donor may be a relative or a complete stranger. The donor’s immune system markers must match closely to the person receiving the cells.
Sometimes the stem cells come from the blood inside a newborn’s umbilical cord.
