[IndianFriend]

Have you stored stem cells for future transplants?

by IndianFriend on Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:49 am

Hello Friends,

I just wanted to know If anyone of you opted for storing their stem cells for future stem cell transplants (SCTs)?

What did your doctor says about storing stem cells for future SCT?

Is storage standard practice in your country / region?

My doctors says it is a good option, but they are skeptical about freezing quality, as they their hospital outsource this to third party storage facilities.

Regards,
Ashish

[Tracy J]

Re: Have you stored stem cells for future transplants?

by Tracy J on Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:01 pm

Lots of people harvest and store stem cells for possible future use. The reason to do this now is that many of the chemotherapy regimens reduce the chances of an adequate harvest in the future. The bone marrow gets tired out after so much chemo. So harvest may not always be a possibility in the future.

[IndianFriend]

Re: Have you stored stem cells for future transplants?

by IndianFriend on Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:03 pm

Thanks Tracy J

[NStewart]

Re: Have you stored stem cells for future transplants?

by NStewart on Mon Jul 20, 2015 8:25 pm

The health system / hospital where I am being treated automatically stores whatever stem cells you don't use in a transplant. They like to collect enough for more than one transplant so they are available if you need a transplant again in the future. I have never been told that there was a storage fee. They just do it. But, I am treated at a large, university research cancer center in the US.

Nancy in Phila

[Tough Mom]

Re: Have you stored stem cells for future transplants?

by Tough Mom on Mon Jul 20, 2015 11:04 pm

It is quite standard for hospitals to store cells for one future transplant in the U.S. In the UK, I learned recently that some centers even encourage to collect and store enough early on in the course of the myeloma for 2 more transplants. I made this request when I was doing stem cell collection at a U.S. center and they let me collect for thee days, which let me store enough for total transplants.

Keep in mind that your stored cells could be used to rescue your body from any therapy that causes a profound cytopenia, not just high-dose melphalan. Some of the chemo regimens discussed on this site are very toxic, and it would be reassuring to have some potential savior cells on liquid nitrogen before embarking into them.

[IndianFriend]

Re: Have you stored stem cells for future transplants?

by IndianFriend on Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:56 am

Thanks Nancy and Toughmom for your kind replies.

Here in India, I found doctors (not all offcourse) are skeptical about the outcomes of storing cells. They say they are not sure how much of cell will be alive after de-freezing. I guess this can be because of lack of reliable freezing or hot climate.

Regards,
Ashish