Hello everyone,
My Dad (76) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma just under a year ago. He has been put on Revlimid along with weekly dexamethasone and monthly pamidronate (Aredia). He hasn't responded strongly to the Revlimid, and the oncologist has said that he will likely change him to Velcade after his upcoming surgery (He is having a bowl resection done as there is a tumor.) My Dad is understandably anxious.
The thing I wonder about is our oncologist's approach to the possibility of my Dad having an autologous stem cell transplant. When I asked about the transplant ASCT, the oncologist's was "He (my Dad) doesn't want one, do you?" Which I found to be a very unsatisfying response, pretty much a dismissal. My father is very interested in the possibility of a transplant, and understands it is not to be taken lightly.
I have tried to look up age restrictions in Canada (we are in British Columbia), and the restriction is vague, using words like 'usually' referring to anyone over 70. Is it possible for someone my father's age to have a stem cell transplant in Canada?
My Dad has never had any health issues his whole life other than this; no medical problems that would obviously exclude him. He is even talking about putting off the bowl surgery in order to explore the stem cell option.
Any advice would be truly appreciated.
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Re: Age limits in Canada for stem cell transplant?
Hello Kirsty,
Welcome to the forum, but it is too bad that your father has myeloma now.
I think that, as a rule of thumb, an autologous stem cell transplant has an age cut off of 65 in Canada, but when I had mine (at age 58), I did talk to someone in the same situation at the cancer centre who was 70. It is up to the doctor, I think, and also there are medical tests one must pass to have a transplant. Those include lung capacity, heart tests, and many blood tests. It seems a bit limiting since the average age of a new patient is 65. The age of approx. 65 was quoted by a specialist from Ontario who I heard speak at a conference recently.
In order to find out more, I think it is best to seek out a myeloma specialist. Transplants in British Columbia are performed at the Krall Centre in Vancouver, which I think is part of the B.C. Cancer Centre. (I live in Alberta and was treated here.)
The transplant process is quite arduous, so there may be medical reasons as to why they do not recommend a transplant for a patient in the mid '70s.
I hope that helps, and good luck to your Dad.
Welcome to the forum, but it is too bad that your father has myeloma now.
I think that, as a rule of thumb, an autologous stem cell transplant has an age cut off of 65 in Canada, but when I had mine (at age 58), I did talk to someone in the same situation at the cancer centre who was 70. It is up to the doctor, I think, and also there are medical tests one must pass to have a transplant. Those include lung capacity, heart tests, and many blood tests. It seems a bit limiting since the average age of a new patient is 65. The age of approx. 65 was quoted by a specialist from Ontario who I heard speak at a conference recently.
In order to find out more, I think it is best to seek out a myeloma specialist. Transplants in British Columbia are performed at the Krall Centre in Vancouver, which I think is part of the B.C. Cancer Centre. (I live in Alberta and was treated here.)
The transplant process is quite arduous, so there may be medical reasons as to why they do not recommend a transplant for a patient in the mid '70s.
I hope that helps, and good luck to your Dad.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Age limits in Canada for stem cell transplant?
Thank you so much for your reply Nancy.
Yes, he has no other medical issues that would prevent him from getting one, but it seems quite arbitrary. His oncologist says he can get his numbers down with Revlimid only, but so far, it doesn't really seem to be helping his numbers. We understand from discussions with other patients and caregivers that it often takes time to see good results. He has an upcoming surgery for a another cancer, but I am hoping that he can switch to Velcade. I can't help but think the Revlimid influenced the secondary cancer, even though he was only on it for a few months and that would be rare,
We are frustrated because we have heard that stem cell transplants can really make a difference in some patients.
Yes, he has no other medical issues that would prevent him from getting one, but it seems quite arbitrary. His oncologist says he can get his numbers down with Revlimid only, but so far, it doesn't really seem to be helping his numbers. We understand from discussions with other patients and caregivers that it often takes time to see good results. He has an upcoming surgery for a another cancer, but I am hoping that he can switch to Velcade. I can't help but think the Revlimid influenced the secondary cancer, even though he was only on it for a few months and that would be rare,
We are frustrated because we have heard that stem cell transplants can really make a difference in some patients.
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