Bone marrow or stem cell transplants are sometimes used in the treatment of Haematology cancers such as
- Leukaemia
- Lymphoma
- Myeloma
Stem cells are the very early cells in the bone marrow that develop into blood cells
Transplants can be performed using
- Your own stem cells or bone marrow. This allows high intensity chemotherapy to be given to you before your own stem cells are given back to you.
- Stem cells from a donor (someone else) either using a close relative or a matched unrelated donor.
Locally, transplants are performed at Newcastle hospital with the team at Sunderland Royal Hospital looking after you in your recovery. Having a bone marrow or stem cell transplant involves having a long stay in hospital, you might want to ask your cancer doctor or specialist nurse
- what your transplant is aiming to do?
- how you can prepare for your transplant and what you might need for your stay in hospital?
- what side effects or complications could happen and what can be done?
- how you will recover following your transplant?
Bone marrow transplants using your own stem cells will involve a shared care agreement with Sunderland Royal Hospital and Freeman Hospital Newcastle. You will stay in both hospitals.
Bone marrow transplants using somebody else’s stem cells will be performed at Newcastle Freeman hospital and you will stay at Freeman hospital and receive follow up care at Freeman hospital.
Prior to any type of bone marrow transplant, you will have an appointment to meet the transplant team at Newcastle and discuss your care in detail.
Click here for more information about bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
