What complications can come from a blood or marrow transplant?
Complications that can result from a bone marrow transplant include: • Toxicity of preparative regimen Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents may cause complications in major organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, lungs and/or heart. • Bleeding The platelets which help blood clot may be low. Major bleeding can be prevented with transfusions of platelets. However, some patients may not respond well to transfused platelets and may be at serious risk for bleeding. • Mouthsores Mouth sores (mucositis) may develop as a result of chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Mouth sores will heal after the new white blood cells begin to grow. • Hair loss Hair loss usually occurs within a week after transplant. This is a temporary side-effect of the preparative regimen. • Infection The chemotherapy and/or radiation given to a BMT patient suppresses the patient’s immune system. Until the transplanted stem cells engraft and create new white bloo
