Name of the Procedure:

Blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cell harvesting for transplantation, per collection; autologous

Summary

This procedure involves collecting blood-derived stem cells from a patient's own blood for use in a future transplant. The collected cells are important for regenerating healthy blood cells following treatments like chemotherapy.

Purpose

The primary goal is to collect stem cells that can be used to rebuild the patient’s blood and immune system following intense treatments, such as high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This helps to treat conditions such as certain cancers and blood disorders.

Indications

• Patients with blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
• Certain genetic or blood disorders requiring stem cell transplantation
• Suitability for autologous transplantation based on health status and treatment history

Preparation

• Patients may receive injections of growth factors (e.g., G-CSF) to increase stem cell production in the blood.
• Blood tests and pre-donation health check-ups to ensure patient eligibility.
• Hydration is encouraged, and specific dietary restrictions may be advised.

Procedure Description

1. Mobilization: Growth factor injections are given over several days to mobilize stem cells into the bloodstream.
2. Apheresis: Blood is drawn from the patient through a catheter, passed through an apheresis machine that separates and collects stem cells, and the remaining blood is returned to the patient.
3. Collection: Multiple collections may be needed to gather a sufficient number of stem cells.
4. Storage: Collected stem cells are processed, frozen, and stored for future transplantation.

Duration

The apheresis portion typically lasts 2-4 hours and may require multiple sessions over several days.

Setting

The procedure is usually performed in a hospital or specialized outpatient clinic.

Personnel

• Hematologists
• Apheresis nurses
• Technicians operating the apheresis machine
• Support from other medical staff as needed

Risks and Complications

• Common: Fatigue, dizziness, or tingling (from calcium imbalance)
• Rare: Infection at the catheter site, allergic reaction to growth factors, low blood counts leading to infections or bleeding

Benefits

• Provides a source of stem cells for future transplantation
• Reduces the risk of complications from donor cells, as the cells are the patient's own
• Can support recovery and long-term remission of certain cancers and disorders

Recovery

• Typically, patients can resume normal activities shortly after the collection process
• Follow-up appointments to monitor blood counts and overall health
• Specific care instructions for managing the catheter site

Alternatives

• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (using donor cells), which may have different risks and benefits
• Bone marrow harvesting, which involves collecting stem cells directly from the bone marrow and is more invasive

Patient Experience

• Patients might experience mild discomfort at the catheter insertion site and fatigue from the procedure.
• Tingling or numbness from changes in calcium levels is typically managed with supplements.
• Overall, the process is minimally invasive, with most patients returning to normal activities shortly after.

Pain management and comfort measures include local anesthesia for catheter insertion and medications to address any side effects from the growth factors or the procedure itself.