Is total body irradiation usually part of the autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) procedure? Is there some criteria for deciding whether or not it should be used?
I'm confused about radiation causing cancer vs. killing cancer.
Thanks,
RT
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RadiantTiger - Name: Radiant Tiger
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my deceased uncle
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Total body irradiation for autologous SCT?
Hi RT,
While total body irradiation is used as part of the conditioning regimen for other disorders, in patients with multiple myeloma, the use of radiation has not been found to be of any benefit. So no radiation for patients with multiple myeloma.
(We use the phrase "conditioning regimen" to describe the treatment given directly before a stem cell transplant. In the case of autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma, the conditioning regimen is usually high-dose melphalan.)
And, yes, you are right to be confused. Radiation both kills cancer cells but also affects normal cells. The effect on normal cells can lead to a second cancer down the line. I know - VERY frustrating!
But the good news is that there will be no radiation for you!
Best
While total body irradiation is used as part of the conditioning regimen for other disorders, in patients with multiple myeloma, the use of radiation has not been found to be of any benefit. So no radiation for patients with multiple myeloma.
(We use the phrase "conditioning regimen" to describe the treatment given directly before a stem cell transplant. In the case of autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma, the conditioning regimen is usually high-dose melphalan.)
And, yes, you are right to be confused. Radiation both kills cancer cells but also affects normal cells. The effect on normal cells can lead to a second cancer down the line. I know - VERY frustrating!
But the good news is that there will be no radiation for you!
Best
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Dr. Heather Landau - Name: Heather Landau, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Total body irradiation for autologous SCT?
RT,
Three years ago, when I was sent to City of Hope for my SCT, three clinical trials were offered and one that would include whole body radiation with the SCT. I declined because as Dr. Landau said this does not seem to be commonly done for myeloma.
In my research at that point in time I had not come across anyone doing anything like that for myeloma. Unless I knew of some sound theory why this might be beneficial for my case I did not see any reason to get any more whole body radiation than I already had received from my days working with nuclear reactors in the Navy, which possibly gave me myeloma to begin with.
Three years ago, when I was sent to City of Hope for my SCT, three clinical trials were offered and one that would include whole body radiation with the SCT. I declined because as Dr. Landau said this does not seem to be commonly done for myeloma.
In my research at that point in time I had not come across anyone doing anything like that for myeloma. Unless I knew of some sound theory why this might be beneficial for my case I did not see any reason to get any more whole body radiation than I already had received from my days working with nuclear reactors in the Navy, which possibly gave me myeloma to begin with.
Last edited by Eric Hofacket on Mon Apr 06, 2015 3:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Total body irradiation for autologous SCT?
Thanks. That's a relief.
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RadiantTiger - Name: Radiant Tiger
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my deceased uncle
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
4 posts
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