Who Is a Candidate For a Stem Cell Transplant or Bone Marrow Transplant for Cancer Treatment?
While stem cell transplants or bone marrow transplants may be lifesaving, they’re not the right treatment for everyone. The process can be difficult and tedious. Since younger people often do better with these treatments, some doctors limit stem cell transplants to those under age 60 or 70. Doctors also often limit bone marrow transplants to those under age 55 or 60. Given that the risks can be serious, deciding whether to get a stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant for cancer treatment is not easy. Your doctor will need to consider your general physical condition, diagnosis, and stage of disease. You’ll need a number of tests to make sure that you’re healthy enough to undergo the procedure. You also need to make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of stem cell transplants and bone marrow transplants. Keep in mind that stem cell transplants and bone marrow transplants only seem to be effective in treating specific types of cancer. While they were once used f
