Hello all,
This may sound like an odd question, but I was just wondering. If a person had a stem cell harvest and lets say they had harvested 8 million cells, but was told that they only needed 3 to 6 million cells for transplant. Would all 8 million cells be used for that one transplant? Or just the 3 to 6 that was needed? And is there a maximum number that would be used for transplant?
The other thing that came to mind was, is more better? Meaning, would 8 million cells being reintroduced at transplant have a better outcome than 3 to 6 million cells? Sometimes quality is better than quantity, but not sure when it comes to stem cells.
I am not looking at this as storing extra cells for a second transplant. Just curious how this would apply for only one transplant.
Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
Hi Castaway,
What happened with my stem cells was that, after they were collected, they were stored into several separate 'plastic' bags and frozen down in a vat of liquid nitrogen. When my stem cells were reinfused at the time of the transplant, not all of the bags of cells were used.
Can't remember how many bags of cells were used, but they were taken out of the liquid nitrogen and warmed before being put on a pole, as if it were a blood or saline transfusion, and then reinfused. Some bags are still in storage.
It was five years ago this month that some of them were reinfused!
What happened with my stem cells was that, after they were collected, they were stored into several separate 'plastic' bags and frozen down in a vat of liquid nitrogen. When my stem cells were reinfused at the time of the transplant, not all of the bags of cells were used.
Can't remember how many bags of cells were used, but they were taken out of the liquid nitrogen and warmed before being put on a pole, as if it were a blood or saline transfusion, and then reinfused. Some bags are still in storage.
It was five years ago this month that some of them were reinfused!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
I had 8.4 million collected over 2 days (5.1 on the first day and 3.3 on the second day). My doctor told me that they would need a minimum of 2.5 million for a transplant. So they had collected enough for 2-3 transplants.
I never asked how many they used for my transplant, but I'm assuming I still have enough saved for 1-2 more transplant, if needed.
I never asked how many they used for my transplant, but I'm assuming I still have enough saved for 1-2 more transplant, if needed.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
Nancy and Kent,
Thank you both for sharing your personal experiences. I was told by my transplant doctor that they had to have a minimum of 2.5 million but preferred more than that.
Due to my insurance not allowing extended storage for additional transplants, I cannot consider storing for more than one transplant. So, if i have 8 million cells harvested, will they all be used? And, just curious, would 8 million be any better than 4 or 5 million cells reintroduced? If not, what happens to those extra few million precious cells?
Thank you and good luck to both of you, Castaway
Thank you both for sharing your personal experiences. I was told by my transplant doctor that they had to have a minimum of 2.5 million but preferred more than that.
Due to my insurance not allowing extended storage for additional transplants, I cannot consider storing for more than one transplant. So, if i have 8 million cells harvested, will they all be used? And, just curious, would 8 million be any better than 4 or 5 million cells reintroduced? If not, what happens to those extra few million precious cells?
Thank you and good luck to both of you, Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
Hi Castaway,
I think that a doctor could tell you just how many stem cells are reintroduced into the bloodstream at the time of a transplant. That is a really good question! I looked up my journal from Dec. 2009 and I had 9 million stem cells collected. I think only less than half were used, but here in Alberta we do have them stored in case of having a second transplant.
I remember that day ... I was the last one out of the clinic since it seemed to take a long time to collect the amount of stem cells that the apheresis clinic required, and the staff didn't want me to have to come back the following day, if possible. It seemed that everyone else's cells were collected way more quickly! In that regard, it reminded me of when I used to be a blood donor.
It was five years to the day yesterday that I had the stem cells reintroduced! Although it was difficult at the time, I am grateful to be a myeloma survivor thus far, and hence do not regret having the stem cell transplant. I have had a lot of other chemotherapy too, though.
Best of luck with getting this sorted out!
I think that a doctor could tell you just how many stem cells are reintroduced into the bloodstream at the time of a transplant. That is a really good question! I looked up my journal from Dec. 2009 and I had 9 million stem cells collected. I think only less than half were used, but here in Alberta we do have them stored in case of having a second transplant.
I remember that day ... I was the last one out of the clinic since it seemed to take a long time to collect the amount of stem cells that the apheresis clinic required, and the staff didn't want me to have to come back the following day, if possible. It seemed that everyone else's cells were collected way more quickly! In that regard, it reminded me of when I used to be a blood donor.
It was five years to the day yesterday that I had the stem cells reintroduced! Although it was difficult at the time, I am grateful to be a myeloma survivor thus far, and hence do not regret having the stem cell transplant. I have had a lot of other chemotherapy too, though.
Best of luck with getting this sorted out!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
Hi Castaway,
In answer to your "Is more better?" question - after a certain point, no. I asked the same question to one of my nurses while I was in the hospital after my SCT. She explained that research has found that there is an upper limit to the number of stem cells that they want to transplant. Above that limit you run into some complications that can be caused by the excess stem cells.
Unfortunately, I've forgotten what the "too high" number is, and what the complications were. I tried to search online just now to find answers to those questions, but was unsuccessful.
Hi Nancy,
Congratulations on your +5 year anniversary! That's great! I hope you did something fun to celebrate.
Mike
In answer to your "Is more better?" question - after a certain point, no. I asked the same question to one of my nurses while I was in the hospital after my SCT. She explained that research has found that there is an upper limit to the number of stem cells that they want to transplant. Above that limit you run into some complications that can be caused by the excess stem cells.
Unfortunately, I've forgotten what the "too high" number is, and what the complications were. I tried to search online just now to find answers to those questions, but was unsuccessful.
Hi Nancy,
Congratulations on your +5 year anniversary! That's great! I hope you did something fun to celebrate.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
Thanks, Mike, I did have a nice weekend, but actually had to check my journal to check the date, since I knew it was in January. Was surprised to find it was the same day I was checking on it!
Some people see the stem cell transplant day as their new birthday, although I don't really. It was a milestone though, that's for sure! Did go to a nice theatre production last week, 'Chelsea Hotel', a musical revue of the music of Leonard Cohen!
Some people see the stem cell transplant day as their new birthday, although I don't really. It was a milestone though, that's for sure! Did go to a nice theatre production last week, 'Chelsea Hotel', a musical revue of the music of Leonard Cohen!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
Mike,
Thank you for the reply. These were just some questions that I also couldn't find in my search. But your explanation of excess cells at transplant makes sense. More is not always better. I guess more would be better if I could store some of those cells, but insurance will not pay for that.
Thanks Again, Castaway
Nancy,
I also have to say congrats on your 5-year anniversary. I am about one week from a one-year anniversary. Hope to get to 5 and beyond. Just need to stay positive and enjoy life each day. Each one is a gift. Enjoy your special Anniversary!
Castaway
Thank you for the reply. These were just some questions that I also couldn't find in my search. But your explanation of excess cells at transplant makes sense. More is not always better. I guess more would be better if I could store some of those cells, but insurance will not pay for that.
Thanks Again, Castaway
Nancy,
I also have to say congrats on your 5-year anniversary. I am about one week from a one-year anniversary. Hope to get to 5 and beyond. Just need to stay positive and enjoy life each day. Each one is a gift. Enjoy your special Anniversary!
Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Maximum stem cells for one transplant?
My plan called for collecting enough stem cells for two transplants. In just two days, they got almost enough for three transplants, which were frozen in eight bags. I got half the cells transplanted the next week, and the other half remains in the freezer.
Bear in mind that, when they told me I had donated 11 million, that is per kilogram of body weight. Since I weighed 70 kg at the time, that means about 770 million, of which I have used half. That G-CSF is amazing stuff!
Bear in mind that, when they told me I had donated 11 million, that is per kilogram of body weight. Since I weighed 70 kg at the time, that means about 770 million, of which I have used half. That G-CSF is amazing stuff!
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Mister Dana - Name: Mister Dana
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 66
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