Frequently Asked Questions


Q. As a patient, what can the Temple BMT Program offer me that I might not find elsewhere?

Our program is a comprehensive stem cell transplant program that provides support for self-donor (autologous) and related as well as unrelated matched donor (allogeneic) stem cell transplants. The benefits of being treated at the Temple BMT Program include:

Q. Should I start my cancer treatment at the Temple BMT Program, or could I go there after being treated someplace else?

In general, you will start your treatment with your local oncologist and be referred to us when your oncologist contacts us for consideration of a transplant procedure. If you have acute leukemia, our program will often begin your therapy here and follow you through your entire treatment including stem cell transplant, if necessary.

Q. A family member has been diagnosed with cancer, and I want him/her to be evaluated for treatment at the Temple BMT Program. How do I arrange that?

For assistance or to make an appointment, we invite you to call our transplant coordinators at 215-214-4191 or 4199 or e-mail our senior transplant coordinator at MillerCH@tuhs.temple.edu. Our transplant coordinators are trained oncology nurses familiar with the various cancers and transplant modalities and the special services that we offer. They can help you find the right treatment for your particular needs.

Q. How should I prepare for my first appointment at the Center?

We will often have some of your medical records, test results, pathology slides and radiology studies before your appointment. Please bring with you all additional medical records and test results you have pertaining to your case at your first appointment. At a minimum, x-rays and pathology slides (if a biopsy or surgery has already been done) will be needed prior to or the day of your appointment. Also be sure to bring the health insurance identification cards for each plan that covers you and proof of your address (such as a driver's license or telephone bill). See Insurance Information for detailed information about coverage and insurance.

Q. Is it all right if I don't come alone?

For your first visit and, indeed, for subsequent visits, it is very helpful if a friend or family member can accompany you. Patients are often naturally anxious about their condition and may not be feeling their best. You will be receiving significant amounts of new information during your visit. You may find that having another person there to act as an extra pair of "ears," to take notes, to ask questions you might not think of at that moment -- and to afford you emotional support -- is very much to your advantage.

Q. Will I have only one doctor at the Temple BMT Program, or more?

You will meet with your primary transplant physician on the day of your first visit. This physician will be responsible for your introduction to our program and with your outpatient management. However, our whole team will be involved with your care including all four of our transplant physicians at various times. One of the advantages of coming to a comprehensive stem cell transplant center like ours is the opportunity to be treated by a team of doctors, nurses and support staff with a broad spectrum of experience in oncology and stem cell transplant.

Q. If I decide to be treated at the Temple BMT Program, does that mean I don't get to see my own physician anymore?

In fact, exactly the opposite is often true. Whether a physician refers you to our program, or you decide to come on your own, we understand that your doctor is still your doctor. Our physicians are experts in cancer and stem cell transplant; your local physicians are the experts on your overall health and well-being and will be coordinating your care prior to and some time after the transplant procedure. Our specialists will communicate with your physicians on a regular basis through the transplant process to ensure continuity.

Q. What if I don't have a primary care physician of my own? Can I still come to the Temple BMT Program?

Though the usual situation is that you will be referred to us from your primary oncologist, some of our patients are "self-referred". If you have questions about this process our transplant coordinators can assist you with the decisions.

Q. I live quite a distance away from the transplant center, and although I don't mind coming into Jeanes Hospital for my transplant, I would prefer to avoid commuting for follow-up visits and tests. Can I receive these services closer to my home?

We will need to see you here for your first intake visit. We will then often coordinate any pre-transplant evaluations that must be done here. However, these can sometimes be coordinated through your referring oncologist closer to your home. Once you finish your hospitalization for the transplant procedure, you will need to return to our clinic for evaluation on a regular basis. After a self-donor (autologous) transplant procedure we will see you for your initial visits within the first few weeks but can often coordinate with your local oncologist to help with follow up thereafter. We will always need to see you at certain visits at key time points after your transplant such as day 100, 6 months and 1 year. We will also want to see you yearly for about 5 years. After a related or unrelated donor (allogeneic) transplant procedure we will have to follow you more closely and may need to see you as frequently at weekly for the first year. The need for follow up will be dictated by issues such as your blood cell counts and the presence of the major complication of this kind of transplant: graft-versus-host disease. Your transplant physician will discuss this with you in more detail at your first visit with us.  We have some apartments we rent for patients and can help with finding the least costly local accomodations if an extended local stay is required. 


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