Patient information and conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation

: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a curative treatment alternative in selected patients with isolated life-threatening bone marrow disorders and certain congenital metabolic anomalies. The majority of patients have malignant blood disorders. The treatment is associated with risk of fatal or painful complications, both early and late in the course. As cytoreductive preconditioning has yet to be optimised, it is not always sufficient to eradicate the patient's malignant tissue. Moreover, it may give rise to serious, sometime fatal, extramedullary side effects. Patients must therefore be thoroughly informed of all aspects of the treatment and its alternatives, before it is undertaken. The indications must be restrictive and the evaluation of contraindications stringent to ensure that the risk is acceptable both to the patient and those responsible for treatment.