[CMolinaro]

Which one is harder-Auto SCT or Allo SCT

by CMolinaro on Tue May 14, 2013 11:37 am

So we are all aware that the GVHD is a possible complication with an allo, but as far as the chemo involved along with the nausea/etc, is an allo transplant anywhere similar to an auto as far as side effects goes? I sailed thru both Auto SCT's I had, with a minor complication of auto GVHD for a few days.

[LibbyC]

Re: Which one is harder-Auto SCT or Allo SCT

by LibbyC on Wed May 15, 2013 6:58 am

Hi CMolinaro,
My allo was a walk in the park compared to the auto I had. I had a mini allo as an outpatient. This involved reduced intensity chemo with reduced intensity total body irradiation ~3 days prior to me getting the donor cells. I had some diarrhea (not as bad as with the auto) with one of the medications (Cellcept, I have forgotten the chemical name) but spoke to one of the dieticians at the hospital and she suggested a low residue diet (which helped). I did take Ondansetron for nausea, it wasn't that bad and I never threw up (certainly did after the auto).

It has been 2 years since my allo and I do have chronic GVHD. However I also have heart complications from the auto(melphalan) and PN from thalidomide and Velcade. I would undergo another allo in an instant instead of having an auto. I think that (if I knew then what I know now) I would jump at the chance to have an allo with a higher paraprotein (say 30 g/L) than I did (16g/L) instead of using chemo to try and get it down. The restrictions from my chronic GVHD are getting less each day whereas my PN doesn't change & my heart is never going to be the same.

All the best,
Libby

[asaryden]

Re: Which one is harder-Auto SCT or Allo SCT

by asaryden on Wed May 15, 2013 7:29 am

Hi,
I´ve had an auto as well as an allo (a midi variant) transplant. During my auto I was very sick for approx 5 days, couldn´t eat or drink at all. Recovery was somewhat slow.
During my allo transplant I was less sick but for a longer period, about a month, but recovered more quickly. I received fludarabine and treosulfan as conditioning agents.
I had my allo transplant in september 2012. Not much GVHD so far. It is not something to wish for but most studies show the outcome is better if you have a little.
Best of luck.
Åsa