Autologous Transplant Guide: Pre-Transplant Evaluation
Your transplant consult visit
During your transplant consultation visit, you will be assigned to a doctor who is a specialist in bone marrow transplantation. The doctor will review your medical record and history, do a physical exam and discuss stem cell transplant with you. Be sure to give the provider all of your previous medical history.
If they feel you are a transplant candidate, you will meet with a transplant nurse coordinator to arrange your pre-transplant evaluation.
Pre-transplant evaluation
Prior to transplant, you will undergo an evaluation to assess your physical health
and social support for transplant. Some of the tests you may undergo include:
- Blood tests
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- PET scan
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Be sure to keep all appointments for these tests and to follow any preparation instructions you are given.
Occasionally, the clinic doctor may decide, based on test results or other factors, that stem cell transplantation is not an appropriate method of therapy. However, if you are found to be a good candidate for bone marrow transplantation at this time, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan.
You will meet your transplant coordinator nurse who will arrange for any remaining follow up testing and appointments up until the time you are admitted to the hospital for transplantation. They will work closely with the financial counselors and your insurance company to seek financial clearance for your transplant procedures.
Catheter Placement
For your transplant, you will need central venous access. This means that you will need a semi-permanent IV catheter placed prior to starting chemotherapy. These catheters allow the health care team to draw blood samples, as well as deliver all your intravenous medications, nutritional fluids, chemotherapy and blood transfusions. Your inpatient medical team needs at least two lumens (channels) in your catheter during your hospital stay. PICC lines and subcutaneous ports are two types of lines most commonly used at UCSF for autologous transplant.
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UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.