Patient Education

Patient Education...

Comprehensive treatment for optimun results Following is a brief description of the outpatient bone marrow/stem cell transplant procedure. It’s designed to offer the most advanced treatment with a focus on patient comfort, convenience and compassion. Evaluation – Upon receipt of a referral from a primary-care physician, hematologist/oncologist or insurance plan, the patient’s records are requested and the patient is scheduled for an extensive consultation. Education – It is important that patients, their families, and other caregivers are well informed and fully prepared for the outpatient stem cell transplant procedure. Included are consultations with the transplant physician and staff, videos and reading materials. Induction – To induce remission and determine the sensitivity of the cancer tissue. Conventional or intermediate doses of chemotherapy are given to reduce the number of tumor cells. Several cycles of chemotherapy may be required before the patient meets transplant eligibility criteria. CT scans, MRIs and other tests are usually required to determine when the patient meets the criteria. Mobilization – To further reduce the cancer tissue and to accelerate stem cell production. Mobilization therapy consists of three to five days of chemotherapy followed by growth factor administration and one to two weeks of blood monitoring and patient supportive care. Harvest and Storage – A painless procedure in which the patient’s blood is circulated through a cell-separating machine. This device removes a fraction of the white cells, which includes the stem cells, and stores them. The cells are then frozen at minus 196 degrees centigrade until transplant time. High-Dose Chemotherapy – To eradicate the cancerous tissue prior to the stem cell transplantation. The patient receives two to six days of intense chemotherapy. After each full-day session, if the patients are clinically stable, they return home until the following day. Transplantation – Approximately 48 hours after the completion of the high-dose chemotherapy, the patient’s previously donated stem cells are reinfused into the bloodstream. The stem cells naturally migrate to the bone marrow, where they begin to multiply and mature into red and white cells and platelets. Recovery – During the weeks that follow the transplant, the patient’s own immune system and blood functions gradually recover to a normal level. Most patients return to normal daily activity within four to eight weeks. Follow-up – For the first three months post-transplant, visits are scheduled frequently, and thereafter at six months and annually. In addition, we provide extended home health care (including weekends and holidays) as well as hospital care, if needed. We know what you and your family are going through. We know how precious life is. That’s why you should choose South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute. We invite you to call 561-752-5522 to schedule an appointment.