Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a stem cell transplant, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Infection—until the donor blood-forming cells begin to function
• Rejection of the donor stem cells
• Acute graft versus host disease (when the immune cells in the donor's bone marrow attack your tissue)

Possible complications for the donor include:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Stem cell transplant is usually avoided if you have:

• Disease of the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys
• Diabetes

Be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor before the transplant.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Severe pain

• New onset of pain more than 24 hours after the transplant

• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the catheter site

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills

• Rash

• Diarrhea

In case of an emergency, call 911.