What is a stem cell transplant? This simple guide explains how it works, which conditions it treats, and what Nigerian patients should expect from it.
When a patient or family is confronted with a serious blood disorder or some cancers, knowing about treatment can be overwhelming in Nigeria. An oncologist might suggest a stem cell transplant as one of the treatments. However, what is it, who might need it and what should Nigerian patients be aware of before seeking treatment abroad?
So, What Is a Stem Cell Transplant? It is a medical procedure that involves providing healthy blood-forming stem cells to a patient to restore their bone marrow and rebuild their blood and immune system. Selected diseases including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, aplastic anemia and certain inherited blood disorders including sickle cell disease are treated with stem cell transplantation.
The specialized transplant centres, well-trained hematology teams and international-patient services make India one of the top choices for Nigerian patients who need advanced transplant care.
A stem cell transplant is the replacement of damaged or diseased blood-forming cells by healthy stem cells. These cells may give rise to other blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
The patient may be given chemotherapy, radiation therapy or some of both (conditioning therapy) prior to the transplant. This is to prepare the body and bone marrow for the new stem cells.
The healthy stem cells are then infused into the patient's bloodstream usually through an intravenous line or central venous catheter. As time passes, the transplanted cells may migrate to the bone marrow and start to make blood cells.
It can be referred to as a bone marrow transplant but not all transplants are performed with stem cells from the bone marrow.
The stem cells used for transplantation can be taken from various sources:
Transplantation surgery can be done in two different ways.
An autologous transplant involves the collection and storage of the patient's own stem cells prior to high dose treatment. Once the cells are conditioned, the cells are given back to the patient.
This is often followed as part of treatment for some types of blood cancer such as multiple myeloma and some lymphomas.
Allogeneic transplant involves the transfer of stem cells from a different person. The donor can be a sibling, relative or an unrelated donor that has a tissue type match.
Allogeneic transplantation may be considered for leukemia, aplastic anaemia and in certain inherited blood disorders.
Finding a suitable donor is an important part of the treatment process. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing is a procedure that doctors may do to check for the compatibility of the donor and the recipient.
Not all patients are candidates for a transplant. The diagnosis, age, general health, prior therapy, status of the disease and risk are assessed by a hematologist or transplant specialist.
Transplantation can be used to treat:
In the case of patients with sickle cell disease, transplantation may be a useful long-term disease modifying or curative therapy in the right candidate patient. However, individual medical situations must be evaluated and eligibility is subject to individual medical conditions and should be determined by a specialist.
Typically, there are multiple steps to the transplant process.
In-depth testing is performed to determine if transplantation is an option for the patient. Blood investigations, imaging, organ function tests, infection tests and disease specific tests may be conducted.
Stem cells are harvested from the patient or donor as per the type of transplant. A procedure known as "apheresis" can be employed for peripheral blood collection.
Treatment with chemotherapy (sometimes combined with radiotherapy) is administered to the patient to treat the underlying condition and to condition the bone marrow to receive the transplant.
The collected stem cells are placed in the patient's blood. It is a procedure that is similar to that of receiving an intravenous medicine or blood product.
Gradually, the transplanted cells take their place in the bone marrow and start making new blood cells. This is called engraftment.
Patients may experience low blood counts and a higher risk of infection, bleeding and other complications during this time. It is, therefore, vital that it is monitored closely.
The recovery period may last for weeks to months depending on the transplant and the patient's well-being. Patients may have to stay close to the transplant centre for regular blood tests, exams, medications and monitoring.
Doctors may suggest measures to help decrease exposure to infection. Recovering from an injury is crucial for nutrition, hydration, medication compliance and follow-up visits.
Planning for accommodation and follow-up treatment is important for Nigerian patients being treated in India. GetWellGo can assist international patients in making appointments in hospitals, arranging accommodations, arranging airport transfers, obtaining visas, arranging interpreters and communication with healthcare staffs.
There are specialised hematology and transplant centres in India that can perform stem cell transplantations to treat many blood cancers and blood disorders.
It is crucial for patients from Nigeria to first get their medical reports reviewed by a suitable Stem Cells Transplant specialist in India before undergoing any form of Stem Cells Transplant. The doctor can then decide if transplant is appropriate and what sort of transplant will be recommended.
Overall treatment may differ greatly from person to person. Patients should not merely base their selection on the advertised price of a transplant centre therefore. Important factors include experience of the transplant team, the hospital facilities, infection-control measures, intensive-care units, donor availability and post-transplant monitoring.
By knowing what a stem cell transplant is, Nigerian patients and families may be better informed to make decisions about advanced treatment. A stem cell transplant may be recommended for certain cancers, blood disorders and inherited conditions, as healthy blood forming stem cells will replace the bone marrow and blood-producing system. Transplantation is a complex treatment, so each patient will need a personalized evaluation from a qualified transplant specialist. GetWellGo can help Nigerians who want to go to India for treatment by coordinating their medical care, finding a hospital, making bookings and providing support for international patients from the time of their initial consultation until they are recovered.
Get Well Go is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our Nigerian clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.
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