Stem Cell Transplant Program Gives Cancer Patients New Lease on Life

It wasn’t long ago that being diagnosed with multiple myeloma was a death sentence.

Multiple myeloma, commonly referred to as myeloma, is a cancer of the plasma cells found in bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of immune cell that produces antibodies to fight infection. Although myeloma is generally referred to as a blood cancer, it is more specifically cancer affecting the immune system. The cause of myeloma remains unknown.

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 83,367 people in the United States were living with multiple myeloma in 2011—over the last decade many of those who suffer from multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma have improved their chances for a longer life through a cancer treatment called an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant.

An autologous stem cell transplant is a vehicle to deliver high dose chemotherapy to kill cancers that are refractory to standard dose chemotherapy. High dose chemotherapy can eliminate a patient’s cancer, but as a side effect, it also kills their bone marrow. The resulting blood cell abnormalities can be life threatening. Fortunately, previously collected bone marrow stem cells are able to replenish the marrow when they are infused to patients like a blood transfusion.

Cancer Care Northwest is the only oncology practice in Washington State, outside of Seattle, to offer the life-saving procedure. Since performing their first autologous stem cell transplant in 2005, the Inland Northwest Myeloma/Lymphoma and Transplant Program has successfully treated 285 patients. Headed up by Dr. Hakan Kaya, an oncologist, hematologist and a fellowship-trained transplant specialist, the stem cell transplant program includes a network of physicians, nurses, social workers, dietitians and blood bank staff.

In the past, undergoing an autologous stem cell transplant for Inland Northwest patients meant traveling over the mountains, and staying away from home for two to three months with a full-time caregiver. The results were excellent, but cost and inconvenience were disadvantageous, presenting challenges for many patients and families.

Today, patients can be conveniently treated at Spokane’s Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. Patients come from the Spokane area, as well as North Idaho and Western Montana where there are no other such transplant programs. The inpatient services enable family members to drop off patients, visit them while they are in the hospital, then take them home three weeks later.

When choosing which patients are eligible for stem cell transplants, age is usually one of the factors. Multiple myeloma patients younger than 75 years old have the best chance for a positive outcome. There is no age limit for lymphoma patients—the youngest in the transplant program to date is 16 years old and the oldest is 78. Eligibility requirements also include absence of major medical problems, and healthy heart and lung function.

Stem cell collection is an out-patient procedure not much more invasive than giving blood. Multiple myeloma and lymphoma are treated first with chemo, and after a day’s rest, the stem cells are reintroduced to the blood through an IV. Then these stem cells reach the bone marrow and over a period of about 10 days they start to grow, multiply and help the marrow make healthy blood cells again. In Dr. Kaya’s experience, the majority of patients are up and about within just a few days.

“This type of stem cell transplant is well tolerated. Fatigue and intermittent nausea are the most common side effects,” says Dr. Kaya. “We recommend patients recuperate at home for a couple of months after being discharged from the hospital. We have had several patients return to work within just a few weeks.”

In the late 1990s, a typical myeloma patient had a life expectancy of only 18 months. Treatments, such as an autologous stem cell transplant have improved survival prognosis to more than 10 years — effectively giving cancer patients a new lease on life.

“Autologous stem cell transplantation can cure otherwise incurable recurrent lymphomas. It does not cure myeloma, but helps patients live longer,” says Dr. Kaya. “We have so many new therapies for fighting cancer, and hopefully within the patient’s lifetime there will be a cure.”