Digital Guide: Stem Cell Transplants for Multiple Myeloma - Miami

Traditionally, stem cell transplants are given to patient after the initial round of induction therapy. Now, in some cases, doctors may hold on to the stem cells and harvest them, keeping them as an insurance policy to be used when a patient has a recurrence.

The goal of the initial treatment of multiple myeloma is to reduce pain and reach remission. Many people are treated with three drugs during induction therapy, but a fourth might be used for high-risk patients.

Stem cell transplants use a patient's own blood-making cells to help their blood production and immune system recover after a large dose of chemotherapy. These blood-making stem cells are removed from the patient before induction therapy, and returned to them after.

Stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma may be done as an inpatient or outpatient procedure. Dr. James Hoffman talked to SurvivorNet about the costs and benefits that doctors weight to determine which treatment option is best.