We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Pros and Cons of Using a Stem Cell Transplant for Lymphoma?

By Jennifer Long
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,090
Share

Stem cell transplant for lymphoma is a treatment that is often used as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan. The procedure is beneficial because it helps repair damaged bone marrow and important red blood cells after chemotherapy. This treatment can be costly and has the potential to cause difficult side effects.

The three types of stem cell transplants are allogenic, autologous, and reduced-intensity. Allogenic transplants are most commonly chosen when a patient has damaged stem cells that are abnormal and cannot be reused, which occurs in certain conditions such as leukemia. The stem cells in this type of transplant come from a donor who shares the same blood and marrow type as the patient.

Autologous transplants use the patient’s own stem cells. This type is the preferred stem cell transplant for lymphoma because the patient has normal stem cells, and the odds of rejection are much lower. The patient’s stem cells are harvested and frozen before chemotherapy treatment begins and are transplanted after the treatment is finished.

Reduced-intensity transplanting is very similar to an allogenic stem cell transplant. Stem cells are provided by a donor. The difference is that using a reduced-intensity stem cell transplant for lymphoma is recommended for patients who do not require high doses of chemotherapy. This form of stem cell transplanting is used in conjunction with low-dose chemotherapy treatments.

Doctors use several factors to determine which type of stem cell transplant for lymphoma will be used. Each patient is different, which makes predicting the success can be difficult. One of the biggest drawbacks of a stem cell transplant is the chance of rejection or complications that cause a variety of symptoms.

There are several steps in preparing for a stem cell transplant for lymphoma. First, the stem cells are harvested from the bone marrow of the patient or a donor. Next, the patient undergoes chemotherapy to treat the lymphoma. After chemotherapy is completed, the stored cells are then transferred into the patient through a catheter that is attached to a large blood vessel in the chest.

Although the transplant can help replace the bone marrow and cells that chemotherapy destroys, long-term side effects can be difficult to deal with. Problems such as infertility, thyroid damage, cataracts, and leukemia are all possible results of a stem cell transplant for lymphoma. Graft-vs-host disease is also a common result in allogenic transplants, and happens when the donor’s immune cells attack the patient’s body.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-using-a-stem-cell-transplant-for-lymphoma.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.