Our Unit aims to provide stem cell / bone marrow transplantation services at a world-class standard to all our patients from around the world; Yeditepe University Hospital’s stem cell unit is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) and the American Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation. Our stem cell transplantation team was recognized as a European transplantation center on 9th February 2006 when it was listed on the European Bone Marrow Transplantation Registry. ON 5th April 2006 the unit gained accreditation for non-relative stem cell transplantations, meaning we can carry out bone marrow transplantations from stem cells procured from abroad.    

Who can undergo stem cell transplantation?

Patients diagnosed with hematologic cancers, non-malignant blood diseases and solid tumors may be admitted to our stem cell transplantation program. The following diseases are currently treated by means of stem cell transplantation:

  • Blood Cancer (Leukemia)
  • Lymph Node Cancer (Lymphoma)
  • Myeloma
  • Aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure)
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
  • Mediterranean Anemia (Thalassemia)
  • Kidney Cancer (Renal Cancer)
  • Severe immunodeficiency (Immuno-deficiencies)
  • Some genetic blood diseases (thalassemia, sickle-cell anemia)

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Is blood group compatibility essential?

There is no need for blood compatibility in hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. The physician will carry out the procedure having taken the necessary precautionary measures; in this event the recipient’s blood group will change so that he or she takes on the donor’s blood group. 

  • What are the risks to the donor?

The donor is subject to intensive scanning and evaluation before the transplantation occurs. Risk factors are explained, and the fact that these risks are not of sufficient gravity to prevent the donor agreeing to a procedure that could save the life of a relative or another person. After bone marrow or peripheral blood collection has been completed, the body quickly replaces the cells that have been lost.

  • What are the success rates in stem cell transplantation?

Success depends on many factors including the patient’s underlying disease and the stage of disease, the patient’s performance at time of transplantation, the degree of patient – donor compatibility, the type of transplantation, and the gender and age of the donor. The highest success rates are generally seen in cases when the patient’s disease is at an early stage, the patient’s general condition is good, and the donor and recipient are young.    

 

STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION AND LATER… 

SCT is a multidisciplinary method of treating life-threatening conditions that are not responsive to conventional treatment. If the patient is a child, the reasons for the advisability of the treatment, how it is carried out, outcomes, and information on early and long term risks is carefully explained verbally and in writing to the child’s legal guardians (in most cases the child’s parents). The procedure begins only when written consent has been obtained after this briefing.

The post-transplantation growth and developmental progress of children, their performance at school and other natters requires special monitoring in a way that is different from adult cases. Nowadays there is a population around the world who have already completed a 25 to 30 year period following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With the ever longer lifespan of SCT patients, their long term monitoring involves not just medical check-ups but also issues such as psychosocial problems and improving their quality of life.