Dental management during stem cell transplantation

Cancer, the uncontrolled growth and division of cells, can affect any of the cells that form blood. Table 1 shows the more common haematological cancers.

Haemopoetic stem cell transplantation, or bone marrow transplant, aims to replace the diseased cells with healthy, functioning blood cells. This treatment pathway can also be used for people with other haematological disease such as sickle cell disease, thalassaemias, immune deficiency syndromes, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and polycythaemia.

Common haematological cancers

In addition to the psychological and emotional upheaval following such diagnoses, many patients will be embarking upon a course of treatment that will have a huge impact on their everyday life.