Hi everyone, I am 45 year-old male. Diagnosed with myeloma in September 2025. Receiving Dara-VRd treatment in Scotland. I have an autologous stem cell transplant planned for February (harvesting) and March (transplant) 2026.
The medical team has planned to harvest cells for one transplant only. The Myeloma UK HDT-SCT Infoguide (page 47) suggests that harvesting more stem cells than necessary for one transplant and storing them frozen may be an option under NHS.
Has anyone been offered the option to freeze and store part of their harvested stem cells “just in case”. ? I have read that it would be very difficult to harvest cells for autologous transplant for a second time. It feels like trying to harvest “as many stem cells as possible” and (provided successful) “storing any excess amount for possible future relapse” is a low/no cost option.
Has anybody in this forum had their stem cells frozen for longer term or discussed this option with their NHS team?
Many thanks,
Hi Skipper88 and welcome to this corner of the Community.
I am Mike and help out around our blood cancer groups and the SCT Group.
I have had 2 Allograft (donor) SCTs the first two n June 2014 with the second in Oct 2015.
Due to me having to be treated for my 2 rare T-Cell NHLs at the same time my main treatment journey from late 2013 to late 2015 was rather complicated (See my story) but I am over 10 years out from my last treatment, I turned 70 last month and I doing great.
I have only talked with one other person in the past 10 years who have had 2 Allograft SCTs….
Just for reference…. I had both my SCTs in the amazing Beatson in Glasgow…..
As for Myeloma I have never talked with anyone who has had 2 Self (Autologus) SCTs……… but plenty people who have had both an Autologous then an Allograft SCTs.
You can certainly ask your team but you may be asked why?…… what would we need them for?
