Long Term Effects

•Does a BMT cause infertility?

•What are some of the long-term effects from BMT?

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Does a BMT cause infertility?
The high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation received prior to a BMT can damage reproductive cells. Not everyone having a BMT experiences infertility. It varies based on the age, gender, sexual maturity, type and amount of chemotherapy and/or radiation received. If this is a concern to you, it should be discussed with your physician, nurse or the social worker at the BMT center. There are options such as sperm-banking, cryogenic preservation of embryos, artificial insemination, and in-vitro fertilization.
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What are some of the long-term effects from BMT?
Long-term effects can be divided into three categories and may include:

Complications related to the transplant:

•Chronic graft vs. host disease

-Skin (rash)
-Muscles (weakness or pain and decreased range of motion)
-Joint pain
-Cataracts may be caused by radiation or the medications used to treat GVHD
-Dry mouth
-Gastrointestinal problems
-Elevated liver enzymes
-Poor appetite, weight loss

•Infections

-Patients with chronic GVHD may be immune suppressed for prolonged periods and have an increased incidence of infections.
-Varicella zoster (shingles)

•Emotional distress

•Fatigue and sleep disturbances

Complications related to the chemotherapy and radiation treatment:

•Growth problems in children
•Pulmonary complications
•Neurological complications (long- or short-term memory loss; difficulty concentrating; personality changes)
•Infertility
•Cataracts

Complications associated with relapse or late malignancy:

•Graft rejection
•Relapsed malignancy
•Secondary malignancy

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