Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas (cont.)
Stem cell transplantation
If lymphoma returns after treatment, you may receive stem cell
transplantation. A transplant of your own blood-forming stem cells allows you to
receive high doses of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. The high doses
destroy both lymphoma cells and healthy blood cells in the bone marrow.
Stem cell transplants take place in the hospital. After you receive high-dose
treatment, healthy blood-forming stem cells are given to you through a flexible
tube placed in a large vein in your neck or chest area. New blood cells develop
from the transplanted stem cells.
The stem cells may come from your own body or from a donor:
- Autologous stem cell transplantation: This type of transplant uses your own
stem cells. Your stem cells are removed before high-dose treatment. The cells
may be treated to kill lymphoma cells that may be present. The stem cells are
frozen and stored. After you receive high-dose treatment, the stored stem cells
are thawed and returned to you.
- Allogeneic stem cell transplantation: Sometimes healthy stem cells from a
donor are available. Your brother, sister, or parent may be the donor. Or the
stem cells may come from an unrelated donor. Doctors use blood tests to be sure
the donor's cells match your cells.
- Syngeneic stem cell transplantation: This type of transplant uses stem cells
from a patient's healthy identical twin.
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You may
want to ask the doctor these questions before having a stem cell transplant:
- What are the possible benefits and risks of
different types of transplants?
- What kind of stem cell transplant will I have?
If I need a donor, how will we find one?
- How long will I need to be in the hospital?
Will I need special care? How will I be protected from germs?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- What can we do about side effects?
- How will treatment affect my normal activities?
- What is my chance of a full
recovery?
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Next: How do I go about getting a second opinion? »
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