How is a patient evaluated for a stem cell transplant? Learn about HLA typing, donor matching, and the comprehensive pre-transplant screening process at Liv Hospital.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
A stem cell transplant is not a procedure that is decided upon lightly. It requires a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process to ensure that the patient’s body can withstand the treatment and that the transplant offers the best chance for a cure. At Liv Hospital, this evaluation phase is the cornerstone of our success. We utilize advanced genetic testing and comprehensive organ screening to create a personalized “risk-benefit” profile for every international patient.
The diagnosis and evaluation phase answers three critical questions:
Before planning a transplant, we must confirm the exact status of the disease. A transplant is most effective when the disease is in “remission” (low levels) rather than when it is bulky and aggressive.
Key Diagnostic Tests:
For patients needing an allogeneic (donor) transplant, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing is the most important test. HLA markers are proteins on your cells that tell your immune system which cells belong to you and which are “foreign.”
The Matching Process at Liv Hospital:
Beyond blood work, seeing the extent of the disease is crucial. We employ advanced imaging to “stage” the patient before the transplant.
Advanced Imaging Modalities:
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): This powerful genetic test scans hundreds of genes simultaneously. It helps us find “targetable mutations” (like FLT3, IDH1, or TP53). Knowing these mutations allows us to:
Once a donor is identified (or an autologous plan is made), the patient undergoes a “fitness” test. The high-dose chemotherapy used in conditioning puts stress on every organ, so we must ensure they are up to the task.
Organ Function Screening:
Dental Evaluation: A panoramic X-ray and exam are mandatory. Any tooth decay or gum infection must be treated before the transplant, as oral bacteria can cause life-threatening sepsis when the immune count drops.
At Liv Hospital, we believe in transparency. We use the HCT-CI (Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-Comorbidity Index) score. This tool combines the patient’s age, organ function, and other health issues (like diabetes or prior infections) to predict the safety of the transplant.
Traveling for a transplant is a big step. To make it easier, Liv Hospital offers a “Remote Second Opinion” service.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
If a sibling is a match, it takes only 1-2 weeks. For an unrelated donor search through international registries, it can take 1 to 3 months. In urgent cases, we expedite this or consider a haploidentical (family) donor which can be arranged in days.
It causes brief pressure and discomfort. At Liv Hospital, we perform biopsies under sedation or local anesthesia to minimize pain and anxiety.
Not necessarily. We can review your initial medical reports (pathology, blood work) remotely to determine preliminary eligibility. However, the final organ screening and HLA confirmation must be done at our center before admission.
If organ function is borderline, we may optimize your health with medication or exercise before the transplant. In some cases, we switch to a “reduced intensity” protocol that puts less stress on the organs.
Surprisingly, no. HLA type matters, but blood type (A, B, O) does not. If your donor has a different blood type, your blood type will actually change to match the donor’s after the transplant!
Your Comparison List (you must select at least 2 packages)
