Inside this Resource:
Stem cells play an important role in your body. They develop into different types of blood cells (like red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets), and are found in bone marrow. You require high dose chemotherapy to treat your cancer; this is toxic to your bone marrow. Stem cells are used to help the bone marrow recover and make new blood cells.
An Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) is when your healthy stem cells are taken out of your blood and safely stored until you need them. After your high dose chemotherapy your stem cells are given back to you through an infusion into a vein.
Autologous Stem Cell Transplants can be used to treat:
You will meet your transplant doctor and they will review your medical history and determine if an ASCT is the right treatment for you.
If you are eligible to have an Auto Stem Cell Transplant your team will coordinate tests such as bloodwork and an echocardiogram.
You will be booked for an education and consent visit with your Nurse Navigator to give you more detail about each step of your transplant. You will also meet with your transplant doctor to discuss the transplant plans and have you sign a consent form.
You will need a special IV called an apheresis catheter to collect your stem cells. This is a soft, flexible tube that is placed into a large vein in your chest. One end of the catheter stays inside your vein, while the other end stays outside your body. The outside end has two access points (double lumen), which allow us to draw blood and return it at the same time. The apheresis catheter will stay in place until your blood counts recover after your transplant.
This catheter will be used to:
– Collect your stem cells
– Give you chemotherapy
– Re-infuse your stem cells afterwards
Your stem cell collection is booked as an outpatient appointment. This means that you will go home after it is done. You will have to return to the hospital each day for 1-3 days.
The day before your stem cells are collected, you will be booked for bloodwork at the hospital. This checks to make sure there are enough stem cells in your bloodstream for collection the next day. Sometimes a medicine called Plerixafor is needed. It is an injection that helps your bone marrow release more stem cells into your bloodstream. This injection is given to you in the hospital.
Once all your cells are collected, they are frozen so they can be given back to you on your transplant day. A preservative called “DMSO” is added to your cells to prevent damage during freezing and thawing.
Your stored stem cells will be used to help your bone marrow recover from the high dose chemotherapy.
The day that your stored stem cells are given back to you is called your Transplant Day. Your stem cell transplant will be done in your hospital room. The reinfusion of your stem cells will take place in the afternoon.
Before the reinfusion:
A care partner is welcome to be with you in your room during the reinfusion of your stem cells.
You will stay in the hospital until your blood cells recover (approximately 14 days). The medical term for when your blood cells recover is called “engraftment”. Engraftment is when your stem cells go back to your bone marrow and begin to make new blood cells. Engraftment usually starts 10-12 days after your stem cell reinfusion.
Once you are feeling well enough and your blood cells have recovered, you will be discharged home. You will have appointments with an Outpatient Transplant Nurse Practitioner (NP) at the WRHN Cancer Centre 1-2 times per week. Your Nurse Navigator and NP will help manage any ongoing side effects. You may get infusions like fluids, electrolyte replacements, or blood products. The Transplant NP will decide when you are able to return to follow up with your Hematologist
After your stem cells have engrafted (blood counts have recovered), most of the severe side effects from your conditioning chemotherapy will have passed.
Some side effects can last up to 12 months after your chemotherapy:
After your transplant is completed, you will likely want things to return to normal quickly. Recovery time is different for each person and can be anywhere between 3 months and 1 year before you feel “normal” again.
You will get vaccines starting 3 months after your auto transplant to build up your immune system. This will help protect you as you start returning to normal activities.
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About This Resource
Author: Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program
Revised: April 2026
PEM#: WRHNCC0134
Use this resource for your information only. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cancerwaterloowellington.ca
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