Fact 5: The Power of Stem Cell Transplant in HL Treatment
High-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplant is a treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma. This treatment strategy significantly boosts survival rates in cases resistant to conventional therapies.
A stem cell transplant involves infusing healthy stem cells into the body to replace bone marrow that’s been destroyed by chemotherapy. The stem cells can be from the patient’s own body (autologous transplant) or from a donor (allogeneic transplant).
The process starts with high-dose chemotherapy to destroy the lymphoma cells. Then, the stem cells are transplanted to help restore the bone marrow’s function, which is to make new blood cells. The renewed ability to produce healthy blood cells gives the body a better chance to recover and fight off the disease.
While this treatment option has its risks, including infections and graft-versus-host disease (where donor cells attack the patient’s cells), it has proven to be a game-changer in the treatment of HL. This strategy has significantly improved the survival rates for patients with HL that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant offer promising results for refractory or relapsed HL. As with all treatments, the benefits must be weighed against the potential risks, making it essential to have informed discussions with the healthcare team. (5)
