Bone Marrow Transplant (also called Stem Cell Transplant)
Click on the different side effects to learn more about them.
Heart
Blood pressure changes or damage to how the heart pumps may occur.
Fever
Fever can be caused by infection or from the donor immune system being active.
Fatigue
Feeling tired and weak, lacking energy to complete usual daily activities.
Infections
In transplant, new donor immune cells will take some time to grow. During this time a patient is at risk of infections.
Stomach problems
Stomach problems may include abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea/ vomiting.
Mouth and throat sores
Mucositis is swelling and damage of the mucous membrane. It often results in painful sores in the mouth and throat. Mucositis can also lead to stomach pain or diarrhea.
Graft versus host disease (GVHD)
The donor’s white blood cells recognize the patient’s body as foreign and attack it. Symptoms may include jaundice, skin rash or blisters, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dry mouth or dry eyes, pain, breathing problems, changes to muscles or joints.
Lung issues
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may cause inflammation of the lung tissue. Patients may develop infections and fluid build-up known as pulmonary edema.
Liver damage
Veno-occlusive disease is the most common serious liver complication. Yellowing skin and eyes, fluid retention, and weight gain may occur.
Kidney or bladder damage
Kidney or bladder damage may occur from medications or complications from treatment.
Pain
Medicines given to prevent or treat graft-versus-host disease can cause nerve pain. Mouth sores caused by chemotherapy medicines can also be painful.
Hair loss
Hair cells may be damaged by the chemotherapy used to prepare for transplant. Graft-versus-host disease may also result in hair loss.
Seizures
Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause seizures. Patients who receive these types of drugs can be given medication to prevent seizures.
Infertility
Chemotherapy given for a bone marrow transplant may affect a person’s ability to reproduce. Discuss if fertility preservation options are available with your provider.
