Stem Cell Transplants for Multiple Myeloma
- An autologous stem cell transplant is a second phase treatment option for multiple myeloma that comes after induction therapy. Induction therapy aims to achieve remission.
- Candidacy for a stem cell transplant has to do with age, overall health, response to initial treatment and the patient’s personal preferences.
- Each multiple myeloma case is unique. Some people chose to have a stem cell transplant right after initial induction therapy, and others choose to keep the harvested stem cells for a later transplant during the first recurrence after the second line of therapy.
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Read MoreHow Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Works
According to Dr. Hoffman, an autologous stem cell transplant may help recipients achieve a longer remission. During a stem cell transplant, you’re admitted into the hospital where stem cells are collected through a catheter in the arm. The blood stem cells are then frozen and stored. After completing a strong dose of chemotherapy, the healthy blood stem cells are thawed and returned to your bloodstream using the same type of catheter.RELATED: What is the Best Stem Cell Transplant Option for Multiple Myeloma?
“Those stem cells then find their way to the bone marrow, help the bone marrow recover from the strong chemo, and get the patient safe to be at home and around other people,” explains Dr. Hoffman.
Am I A Candidate For Stem Cell Transplant?
There are several different variables doctors use to determine whether you’re an appropriate candidate for stem cell transplant.
Doctors look at:
- Age
- Overall health
- Response to initial treatment
- Your personal preferences
“The majority of multiple myeloma patients are eligible for this treatment,” Dr. Hoffman explains.
“There is a consideration whether we do it after the initial induction or whether we harvest stem cells, keep them kind of like an insurance policy with an intention to do the transplant on the first recurrence, after the second line of therapy.”
Discussing Your Transplant Options
Dr. Hoffman stresses the importance of discussing upfront transplant versus delayed transplants with each patient. “We do know that delaying a transplant is just as good as doing it upfront,” adds Dr. Hoffman. It comes down to your current situation, and whether a stem cell transplant makes sense at that moment.
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Some choose to delay transplant in hopes that newer, better treatments options will be available in the foreseeable future. However, Dr. Hoffman acknowledges that it’s important to understand there’s no one-size-fits-all answer with stem cell transplants for multiple myeloma.
“There’s no perfect answer whether one approach is right and the other is wrong,” adds Dr. Hoffman. “We thankfully know that upfront transplant and delayed transplant offer equal results. And so it’s really a discussion about life preferences, philosophy, and logistics, more than a scientific analysis of what’s the best approach.”
Depending on the cancer treatment facility, stem cell transplants may be done as either an inpatient or outpatient procedure. Most transplants require two to three weeks of daily care and monitoring.
“If you have an opportunity to consider inpatient or outpatient, you should certainly talk that through with your medical team and figure out what kind works best for you,” notes Dr. Hoffman.
Each multiple myeloma case is unique. It’s important to discuss all the pros and cons of an upfront transplant versus a delayed transplant with your oncologist to determine what’s best for you.
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