Initial Evaluation for Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation
The initial evaluation begins with a referral from your hematologist or oncologist to a Blood and Marrow Transplant Physician. After this referral, the Stanford Blood and Marrow Transplant Program New Patient Coordinator will call you with an appointment date and time.
Prior to Your Appointment
To assist the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program physician in determining your treatment options it is essential that you work with your hematologist's or oncologist's office staff to have the following sent to us prior to your evaluation:
- Medical records describing your diagnosis and prior treatment
- Biopsy slides, tissue blocks and pathology reports
- Radiology studies such as CT and PET scans, MRI and ultrasounds
Your Evaluation Appointment
The initial evaluation is designed to provide you with information about blood and bone marrow transplantation and usually takes between 2-4 hours.
- At this visit you will meet a Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Physician and a Nurse Coordinator.
- The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Physician will take a detailed medical history, perform a physical examination and recommend the various treatment options for you.
- You will also meet a Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Social Worker either during your initial visit, or at a later date.
- The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Social Worker will conduct a psychosocial assessment and discuss the non-medical aspects of the transplant process including your support system, caregivers, housing, work issues, disability, and leave programs and generally how well you are adjusting to your illness and treatment.
Items You Should Bring to Your Initial Appointment
- Your health care insurance and prescription plan cards.
- A list of your allergies and the medications you are taking.
- New Patient Information Packet
Other Appointment Considerations
- During the visit you are given a lot of information and we encourage you to bring a family member or friend to help you remember what was discussed.
- You may also want to take notes or tape record the visit.
- If English is not your primary language please tell us this when scheduling your visit and we will make every attempt to have a translator for your preferred language.
After Your Visit
After your initial visit, your history will later be presented to the entire Blood and Marrow Transplant Program team. The team will work together and determine – based on your disease, history and other factors – the BEST treatment option we can offer you. In some cases, this means that your treatment plan my change from what was presented to you on your first visit. If you proceed with transplantation your Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Nurse Coordinator will facilitate your pre-transplant testing, establish your treatment schedule and help coordinate your care.
Trial Administration