Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, part of Sutter Cancer Centers, doctors have performed thousands of transplant procedures since we began the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program in 1993. That experience has enabled us to establish a path that helps you achieve the best outcome. We are accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and a member of the National Marrow Donor Program. We also participate in research with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research.

Evaluation and Testing

If you are referred to the program, you will go through an evaluation process to determine if transplant is the best treatment option and to ensure there are no additional health conditions that would pose a risk.

You will meet with our transplant physician to learn more about the process and receive a complete physical exam. If a donor is providing the stem cells, the transplant physician may also meet with identified donors or discuss the process of finding a suitable donor.

You will also undergo comprehensive lab testing and diagnostic imaging tests to provide the transplant team with a clear picture of current health status.

Education

Education is an important part of transplant preparation. Stem cell transplants are a team effort that includes you, caregivers and other close friends and family members who will participate in care. Understanding the process and what to expect before, during and after the transplant procedure helps everyone involved move through the process with confidence. You also meet with social workers who will address any areas of concern and ensure you have the support needed throughout the recovery process.

Stem Cell Collection

While bone marrow transplant is still done in certain situations, it has largely been replaced by peripheral blood stem cell transplant, which collects stem cells through a process similar to giving blood. Recent studies have shown that a peripheral blood stem cell transplant delivers better patient outcomes for most conditions, and stem cell collection is relatively pain-free and requires no surgery for you or donor.

Peripheral stem cell collection is a performed on an outpatient basis. Before the procedure, doctors increase the number of stem cells available and move them from the bone marrow into the bloodstream by giving you or the donor a blood hormone or growth factor called G-CSF or Neupogen. After a few days of daily G-CSF injections, when white blood cell counts are high enough, stems cells are collected through blood donation.

The collection is done using a flexible line to draw blood from the arm. The blood is sent through a separator that removes the stem cells from other blood cells. The stem cells are then sent to the cryopreservation laboratory to be tested, processed and frozen for future use. It usually takes one to three days to collect enough stem cells for a transplant.

Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit

The transplant is performed in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. People who undergo a stem cell transplant will gradually rebuild their immune systems and must be protected against illness and infection during the rebuilding process. For that reason, the specially designed unit uses a HEPA-filter system that makes the air as close to sterile as possible. The unit contains everything you need during recovery and is staffed around the clock by registered nurses with specialized training in stem cell transplantation.

Stem Cell Transplant Process

You receive the stem cells through an intravenous (IV) line and remain in the special unit until they have fully recovered and met specific criteria for discharge. Depending on the type of transplant, you can expect to be in the unit anywhere from 21 days (autologous transplant) to 30 days (allogeneic transplant).

Visitors are encouraged when patients feel up to having guests. It’s a good idea for visitors to call the patient or nurse’s station before visiting to make sure patients are feeling well enough to have company. Because the risk of infection is high, we ask all visitors to remember:

• No one should visit who is not feeling well or has the following conditions: fever, open sores, uncontrolled cough, nausea, diarrhea, eye infections or a runny nose, as well as anyone who has been recently exposed to a contagious disease such as measles or chickenpox.
• All visitors must wash their hands before getting close to patients or touching patients’ belongings. As a safety precaution, fresh flowers or floral arrangements containing water, soil or moss are not permitted within the unit.

After the Stem Cell Transplant

You receive transplant and discharge education throughout their stay. When the time for hospital discharge nears, our discharge coordinators meet with you to discuss and arrange home healthcare or care at the program’s infusion center.

Depending on the type of transplant received and recovery progress, you generally visit with our transplant physician two to three times each week for a few weeks (autologous) to several months (allogeneic).

Our team is deeply committed to helping you move through the stem cell transplant process with minimal discomfort. At every step along the journey, you and their loved ones are welcome and encouraged to ask questions.