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Welcome to the Patient and Visitor's Guide to the Emory Bone Marrow Transplant Center. We hope the following information is useful for prospective patients, current and past patients and anyone wishing to know the process for Bone Marrow Transplants at Emory Healthcare.
Education
First Visit
Methods
Outcomes
Research
Support Groups
Location
Education
The Emory Transplant team will work to educate each patient about specific treatment and care, answering questions at every phase of the procedure. In addition, a personalized plan will be developed in conjunction with Emory's BMT manual covering everything from caregiver instructions to health precautions and nutrition before, during and after the transplant.
In addition, patients may learn more about BMT Treatment through a variety of resources including:
- The American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345
- The National Cancer Institute: 1-800-4226237
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: 1-800-955-4572
Web Sites:
Reading List:
- Bone Marrow Transplants:
A Book of Basics for Patients
by Susan K. Stewart
- Bone Marrow Transplants:
A Guide for Cancer Patients and Their Families
by Marianne L. Shaffer
- Reason for Optimism:
Treating Cancer with a Bone Marrow Transplant
by Barbara J. Munson & Connie Marshall
- Me & My Marrow:
A Kid's Guide to Bone Marrow Transplant
by Karen Crowe & Norm Bendell
- Home Care Management of the Blood Cell Transplant Patient
by Cathy H Kelley, Susan Rudder Randolph, Ellen A. Leum, Jean Nelson Lonergan and Linda Haggerty McBride-Jones & Bartlett Publishers
- Home Care Management of the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient
by Jean Nelson Lonergan
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First Visit
The initial visit allows the bone marrow team to review the patient's medical history, disease status, overall health and emotional needs including the support he or she will receive from family members or caregivers. And, we will help the patient address practical issues regarding financial and insurance matters.
This process is designed to help us assure that the Emory Bone Marrow Transplant Center is the best facility for the patient. Once a determination is made to proceed at Emory, we outline a plan for his or her transplant procedure.
A smooth recovery depends on knowing what to expect before during and after the transplant.
It is our goal to arm our patients with information to help reduce any fears and concerns. And we will work throughout the process to assure that the patient is supported physically and emotionally.
If it is decided that the Emory BMT Center is not the best for a patient's needs, our transplant team will work with the patient and his or her referring physician to recommend other treatment options.
TRANSPLANT PROCESS
Bone marrow transplants were originally developed in the 1960's as a treatment for leukemia and other marrow and blood damaging cancers. Today transplants are also performed on many other types of cancer to help patients' bodies tolerate the strong drugs and treatments they will take to eliminate the disease.
Chemotherapy and radiation in high doses can destroy blood-clotting platelets; white blood cells needed to fight off infections and red blood cells that carry oxygen to the tissues.
Bone marrow, which is the "blood factory," is full of stem cells that grow platelets and white and red blood cells. The needed stem cells can also be taken from the bloodstream in the "peripheral" or circulating blood.
HOW IT WORKS:
Bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are collected from either the patient or a donor prior to chemotherapy and/or radiation "conditioning." Following the conditioning the patient is infused with the collected marrow or blood stem cells. The infused stem cells circulate through the bloodstream and relocate in the bone marrow cavities. Once the cells engraft (grow) in the patient's marrow, the marrow will begin to reproduce its own blood cells, eventually restoring the immune system to healthy levels.
Methods of stem cell transplant include:
- Autologous: (self-transplant) Stem cells are removed from the patient before chemotherapy/radiation conditioning, frozen and then infused.
- Allogeneic: (donor transplant) Stem cells are collected from a relative (matched related), or other donor (matched unrelated), whose blood and tissue types match the patient's and infused following chemotherapy/radiation.
- Umbilical Cord: In this procedure, stem cells are taken from the umbilical cord of a newborn as an alternative source when a donor match cannot be found.
For further details about these transplant procedures, please click here for Services and Procedures.
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Methods
Autologous: (self-transplant) Stem cells are removed from the patient before chemotherapy/radiation conditioning, frozen and then infused.
Allogeneic: (donor transplant) Stem cells are collected from a relative (matched related), or other donor (matched unrelated), whose blood and tissue types match the patient's and infused following chemotherapy/radiation.
Umbilical Cord: In this procedure, stem cells are taken from the umbilical cord of a newborn as an alternative source when a donor match cannot be found.
For further details about these transplant procedures, please click here for Services and Procedures.
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Outcomes
The Emory Bone Marrow Transplant Team will work with each individual to determine a personalized course of treatment and projected outcome.
A high dose chemotherapy-based transplant can increase the likelihood of a cure or prolong the time of survival for many of those treated. But survival rates depend on age and general physical condition, specific characteristics of the disease, stage of the disease and prior response to chemotherapy treatments.
Below are patient recovery rates following procedures performed at the Emory Bone Marrow Transplant Center between 1991 and 2000.
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Research
Most of the effective treatments used today were tested through clinical trials or research studies. Patients participate in clinical trials in an effort to cure their disease, prolong life, feel better or aid in research that could help others. Participation is voluntary at all stages of the process. Research studies at Emory are federally regulated and approved by the Emory University Human Investigation's Committee (HIC). The purpose of the HIC is to protect the patient. The HIC is composed of scientists, doctors, clergy, and local community citizens.
The HIC reviews all studies for safeguards and reasonable risks in relation to potential benefits. The BMT team can provide information about Emory's current trials. If a patient wishes to participate, he or she will be monitored throughout treatment and follow-up. Data collected will be recorded, reviewed, analyzed and shared with other research teams throughout the world.
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Support Groups
A bone marrow transplant is a very difficult and demanding procedure that can challenge an individuals physical and emotional health.
The Emory BMT team, including an assigned social worker and a psychologist, will work to assure that a solid support system is in place to guide the patient at every step.
Emory Support services include:
Monthly Patient Orientation
Monthly Discharge Orientation
Contact Paula Saunders, MSW with the Emory Social Services Department for more information (404-712-4371)
Other Support Services include:
- Family Coping with Cancer:
monthly meetings, 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Emory Hospital. Contact Jan Erbrecht, LCSW for information and RSVP (404-712-4379)
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Family Support:
monthly meetings, 1st Tuesday of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Emory Presbyterian Church. Contact Terri Sexton for information and RSVP (770-438-6006-option 1)
- Atlanta Area Multiple Myeloma:
Support Group: monthly meeting, 1st Saturday of each month, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Mathew's Church (N. Druid Hills Rd. & Briarcliff Rd.). Contact Cathy Lebkuecher for information and RSVP (770-271-3251) or visit the web site at mmsg.org/atlanta
- Blood Cancer Networking Group, sponsored by The Wellness Community, second Thursday of each month from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd.,
Suite C-225, Atlanta, Georgia 30342. For more information call 404-843-1880.
- wwwSharedExperience.org:
A web site dedicated to sharing personal cancer experiences, with recommendations for support groups and cancer experience chat rooms.
Caregiver: Usually a family member or very close friend, the caregiver plays the most critical role in supporting the patient and is vital to providing effective care. He or she will be trained by the BMT team and given specific instructions. The caregiver's responsibilities include:
- emotional support and love
- physical care and safety.
- care of intravenous catheter
- physical care and safety.
- supervision of medications
- recording intake and output of food and fluids
- taking and recording temperature
- giving intravenous fluids and medications
- recognizing and reporting patient condition to the physician/nurse
- preparing food and encouraging dietary intake and fluids
- maintaining the home environment
- transporting the patient to and from appointments
- keeping the patient on a schedule
- balancing the patient's activity and rest periods
And, letting the bone marrow team know when help is needed.
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Location
The Emory Bone Marrow Transplant Center is located at:
1365 Clifton Road, N.E.,Suite B6200
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
Call: 404-778-BMTE 404-778-2683
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