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Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem cell transplantation is a procedure in which patients receive healthy stem cells to replace their own stem cells that have been destroyed by cancer or cancer treatments. The goal of stem cell transplantation is to cure the patient by destroying the cancer cells with high doses of chemotherapy and then to help the body start a new supply of blood cells.
Skin and Nails
SkinSkin-related side effects from cancer treatment include:
- Dry skin
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Skin lesions
Tell your doctor about any changes to your skin. Your doctor can recommend or prescribe appropriate treatment, including topical solutions (creams, lotions or gels) to soothe your skin or relieve itching.
Tell you doctor immediately if you notice:
Caitlin
In June 2016, I was diagnosed with a super rare form of leukemia called Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Neoplasm (BPDCN).
At the time I was 12 years old, just graduated sixth grade and was looking forward to entering middle school.
During one of my gymnastics practices, while doing a dismount off the beam, I hit my ankle really hard which caused it to bruise. The bruise formed into a lump so my mom took me to my pediatricians who then referred us to my hospital, where I received a skin biopsy and was diagnosed with cancer a week later.
Keisha
In 2017, I was diagnosed with a rare and chronic form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I was beyond devastated as I knew there was no cure for my condition, and I also knew my life would be altered in many ways. I was also finishing my last semester in graduate school and almost gave up my dream of graduating. But with the support of my family, school, physicians, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), I persisted and received my Master of Education in 2018.
Christine
My father, Alan Schwall, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at the very start of my sophomore year in college -- in the fall of 2006 when he was only 51 years old. He always had knee issues, but the summer between my freshman and sophomore year at college, he developed a swollen leg/knee and other problems that made it hard for him to walk at times.
Melissa
I want to tell you about my hero, my wife, Melissa. She is service-focused from the time she gets out of bed until the time she returns. She's been a part of Team In Training for the past three years and has raised well into five figures to help others. That's what made her Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis all the more ironic.
Lynette
It all started with a race... I began running back in 2011 with the sole purpose of losing weight. I joined a running group and became interested in races, specifically the Nike Women's Half Marathon.
Beth
Shortly after Thanksgiving of 2008, I started feeling sick and extremely weak. By late January of 2009, I was diagnosed with stage IV aggressive Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Lorri
In February, 2015 I got fever that would not go away. I figured it was the flu, even though I had the flu shot earlier that year. I just assumed it wasn’t effective. I continued to keep my daily routine including work and even hiking, but I felt so tired and ill. After several visits to a variety of healthcare facilities, I still didn’t hear the “C" word yet.
Cynthia
Cynthia was on a family vacation in 2015 when she began experiencing back pain so severe that she had to be in a wheelchair for the rest of the trip. When she returned home, Cynthia went to see her doctor who referred her to an oncologist. After several tests, Cynthia was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She was devastated. Chemotherapy and radiation soon followed, along with horrible side effects, sleepless nights and countless blood transfusions. But Cynthia was not going to let cancer defeat her.
Lyra
Lyra is a confident three year old who spreads joy wherever she goes! She loves to sing, dance, draw, snuggle while reading stories and is rarely seen in anything but a princess dress. If you happen to pass Lyra at the store, she will most certainly ask you your name and probably tell you all about her favorite my little pony or what she ate for breakfast.
Whitney
I am delighted to be a new member of the Clinical Trial Support Center team at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)! After eight years as a clinical nurse, charge nurse, and assistant nurse manager at various oncology hospitals across the country, I am honored to now work with blood cancer patients as a Spanish-speaking, CTSC nurse navigator.
Anasia
I was diagnosed at 26 years old with T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in June 2022. I was still a newlywed having married my best friend in 2021 and was a mom of two boys (ages three and one).
I began experiencing symptoms in May 2022 and didn't think it was anything other than stress ― until they became unbearable. Losing unintentional weight, having night sweats, a swollen face, and chest pain ― my husband knew something wasn't right. We waited in the ED for hours before being seen and having several tests run.
Paul
In 2001, I described my health as excellent. I had a great job, was very physically active, and participated in a number of nonprofit activities. However, I very occasionally experienced extreme abdominal cramps that caused nausea and curling into a fetal position for approximately five hours. Doctors were perplexed, though suspected gallstones.
Grace
On February 6, 2023, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, my story starts months before that. I was attending my sophomore year of college at my university when I started experiencing symptoms I did not understand or put together. I started experiencing extreme exhaustion, I was dropping weight very fast, and I was always lightheaded. I decided to come home only three weeks into my spring semester because I couldn’t keep up my course load with how bad I was feeling.
Supportive Care and Disease Complications
Supportive (palliative) care for myeloma helps manage the complications of the disease and the adverse side effects of the drugs used for treatment, including:
Treatment for Aggressive NHL Subtypes
Aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) progresses rapidly. It makes up about 60 percent of all NHL cases in the United States. Aggressive subtypes include:
Follow-Up Care
Those who have been treated for MDS are encouraged to:
Signs and Symptoms
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is often detected during a routine blood test before an individual has any symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of ET are linked to high platelet counts that cause the development of a thrombus (blood clot). The symptoms include:
Returning to School
Consider educating family members, friends, school personnel and healthcare providers about your child's possible long-term and late effects of treatment. In particular, talk with teachers about your child's needs before he or she returns to school, as they and other school personnel may not be aware of the potential for long-term and late effects of treatment.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Diarrhea and constipation are common side effects of cancer treatment. The severity of diarrhea or constipation varies among patients and depends on the type of treatment you receive. Sometimes side effects improve as you adjust to treatment. Most side effects go away when treatment ends.
Tell your healthcare team if you are experiencing new or worsening diarrhea or constipation. Do not take over-the-counter medications without talking to your doctor.
DiarrheaFollow these tips to manage diarrhea:
Vonshel
Hi, my name is Von, and back in 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn't want to die, but prayer and God sent me right to the perfect doctor: Dr. Moran from Brunswick, GA. I got through chemotherapy and radiation with a breeze, and I'm now in remission for 13 years.
