Stem Cell Transplantation

 Stem cell transplantation, also referred as bone marrow transplantation, is currently being performed in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, various cancers, poorly functioning bone marrow, hereditary anemia, immunodeficiencies and hereditary metabolic diseases.

 Stem cells can be obtained from bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood. Although bone marrow has been used historically as a stem cell source in the first transplantations, peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is currently performed in 75% of cases. Stem cell from the cord blood is collected as soon as the baby is born. Collected stem cells are stored in sterile conditions.

 Stem cell transplants are defined as autologous or allogeneic transplantation.

 Autologous transplantation is the process by which the patient's own stem cells are collected and stored frozen, then given back to the patient. The most common uses for autologous stem cell transplantation are solid tumors such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma, neuroblastoma, germ cell tumors, and acute leukemia.

 Allogeneic transplantation is the process by which the stem cells collected from a fully compatible donor outside the patient itself are delivered to the patient. Acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoproliferative diseases, aplastic anemia, thalassemia and hereditary metabolic diseases are the most common uses of allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Donors are tissue-matched siblings, relative or non-relative volunteers. Stem cell donation doesn’t impair anything in donors.  The most common side effects are bone pain, muscle aches and flu-like symptoms and are treated symptomatically.

Our bone marrow transplant center serves adult patients. The autologous transplant process begins with the collection and storage of the patient's own stem cell. The patient is then given the high-dose chemotherapy, which we call the preparation phase, and then his own stem cells are dissolved and given. Within an average of two weeks, the nesting of the stem cell occurs in the bone marrow, called the engragment,, the patient's cell number returns to normal and is discharged from the transplant unit.  The allogeneic transplant process begins with a tissue group matching donor search for candidate patient for transplantataion. If the patient and the appropriate donor are suitable for transplantation, after the high-dose chemotherapy is given to the patient which is called preparation regimen, the stem cells collected from the donor are given to the patient. Within an average of three weeks, the nesting of the stem cell occurs in the bone marrow, called the engragment,, the patient's cell number returns to normal and is discharged from the transplant unit.

Stem cell transplantation is a team work product. With an experienced transplantation team and ideal physical conditions, the transplantation process, which requires intensive labor for patients and their relatives, is successfully completed.