Autologous stem cell transplant: an overview

Autologous stem cell transplantation increasingly is used as a treatment modality for selected hematologic and solid tumors. Autologous stem cell transplant comprises either autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) or peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). ABMT and PBSCT enable patients to receive potentially lethal doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy and rescue them with a viable source of new blood cells. Supportive measures, including blood product, growth factor, and antibiotic administration, and the expanded clinical expertise of ambulatory and home care nurses have allowed an increasing portion of this process to be performed outside of an acute care setting. The shift of care to an ambulatory or home setting will become the standard, rather than the exception, in the near future. A brief review of major implications for nurses is delineated.