100th Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Performed at Mayo Clinic


 
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ (ASRN.ORG)- A 76-year-old Scottsdale man is the 100th patient at Mayo Clinic to receive an allogeneic stem cell transplant since the program began in 2003.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation involves collecting healthy stem cells from a donor, either a relative, or from an unrelated donor who is evaluated for compatibility. In the case of an unrelated donor, a search of the National Marrow Donor Program registry of people who were previously screened to be potential donors takes place. Once a match is found, the donor's healthy cells are then transfused into the recipient to help rebuild the immune system.

Patients undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant first receive high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to eradicate cancer cells and to prepare the immune system to be able to prevent rejection of donor cells.

The 100th patient, who had previously battled both prostate and pancreatic cancer, was found to be healthy enough to withstand the transplant, even though at the time of the transplant he was 75, making him Mayo's oldest such transplant recipient. The patient's healthy lifestyle and very fit condition are credited for allowing him to be a candidate for the procedure.

The patient celebrated his birthday and reported he was feeling healthy and strong and looking forward to visits with his family. The patient had been diagnosed with leukemia.

"This 100th stem cell transplant milestone - and our program's overall success - is really the result of Mayo's integrated team of specialists who treat the individual patient, rather than a disease in isolation," said James Slack, M.D., Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplant.

Mayo Clinic in Arizona was the first medical center in the Southwest to provide a bone marrow transplant program and is one of only 15 transplant centers in the U.S. to be recognized for its high transplant volumes and successful patient outcomes. As a three-site organization (Arizona, Minnesota and Florida), this remains the largest provider of solid organ and bone marrow transplantation in the U.S.

Mayo performs bone marrow transplantation for both adults and children through it's Blood and Marrow Transplant Program.

 

Copyright 2009- American Society of Registered Nurses (ASRN.ORG)-All Rights Reserved


 
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Articles in this issue:

Masthead

  • Masthead

    Editor-in Chief:
    Kirsten Nicole

    Editorial Staff:
    Kirsten Nicole
    Stan Kenyon
    Robyn Bowman
    Kimberly McNabb
    Lisa Gordon
    Stephanie Robinson
     

    Contributors:
    Kirsten Nicole
    Stan Kenyon
    Liz Di Bernardo
    Cris Lobato
    Elisa Howard
    Susan Cramer

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