[Ewp75]

Stem cell storage bag damaged - has it happened to you?

by Ewp75 on Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:40 pm

My father had 4 bags of stem cells collected to meet the required number for a stem cell transplant. He received his first transplant, which went very well, but unfortunately the multiple myeloma came back a year later.

He went through the treatment and when it came time to do the second transplant with his stem cells, we were informed that there was a "shadow" on one of the two remaining stored bags. At that point we were told that he had to go back onto the treatment to get him to a point where he could collect again. We were never able to get back to that point and had to do a donor transplant that didn't work.

My question is this: Has anyone ever heard of a stem cell storage bag being compromised when frozen for storage?

Thanks

[Dr. Heather Landau]

Re: Stem cell storage bag damaged - has it happened to you?

by Dr. Heather Landau on Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:44 am

I am so sorry to hear of your father's (and your) experience. Fortunately, it is rare, but there can be com­pro­mise to a stored stem cell product for a variety of different reasons (i.e., contamination, or a break in the bag upon thawing). In truth, I am not certain what a "shadow' on one of the bags means, but it sounds like they were concerned enough about the integrity of the product that they felt it was unsafe to administer.

Certainly disappointing- but I can't say it's unheard of.

So sorry!