Autologous Transplant Patient Education Manual - Moores Cancer ...

Collecting urine, sputum and central line area samples
Ordering a chest x-ray
Starting intravenous antibiotics
Notifying the practitioner
Provide comfort measures if needed (i.e. a fan, cool or lukewarm bed bath, Tylenol)
It usually takes 1-3 weeks for the white blood cell count to be high enough for a patient to be
discharged from the hospital following an autologous stem cell transplant. Discharge date
will be determined by the attending physician.
Hair Loss
Most preparative regimens will lead to temporary scalp and body hair loss (alopecia) one to
two weeks after the start of treatment. Some patients cut their hair short or shave their
heads before hair loss begins. Scarves, hats, or wigs can be used until hair grows back. Hair
normally grows back within 3-4 months after the transplant.
Relapse and Secondary Malignancy
Some patients will experience a relapse of their disease even after a transplant. The risk of
forming another type of cancer, caused by the chemotherapy and/or radiation has been
documented in a small number of patients. If either of these occurs, you can talk with your
doctor about treatment options.
Organ Toxicity
There is a possibility that high dose chemotherapy as well as a number of other medications
required during transplant can cause a decrease in the ability of your lungs, heart, kidney or
liver to function. These organ toxicities are usually mild as well as temporary and
reversible.
Infertility
Sterility is a potential complication of high dose chemotherapy. The likelihood of infertility
depends on the patient’s age, gender, type and amount of chemotherapy received.
Although most patients who undergo a transplant will be infertile afterwards, those who do
not wish to become pregnant should not assume they cannot. The normal options of
avoiding unwanted pregnancies need to be practiced.
Fortunately, there are options available to couples who wish to have children after a
transplant. Adoption or medically-assisted reproduction technologies can be explored if this
applies to you. Feel free to discuss options with your doctor, coordinator or social worker.
Refer to the Resource Guide for further resources.
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