Checks and Clinics

In preparation for admission to transplant your local hospital team will arrange for you to have some tests done to assess organ function. These include a Heart Scan called an Echocardiogram (ECHO), breathing tests called Pulmonary function tests and a kidney test called a 24 hour urinary creatinine clearance. It is also necessary to visit your dentist to make sure there are no problems with infection in your mouth or teeth. Normally dentists will be accommodating of a quick appointment if you explain you are being admitted for BMT. If you have problems accessing a community dentist then please discuss this with your local hospital team. The dentist should not carry out any invasive treatment without discussing this with your local hospital team as they will know your recent blood counts. You may also need a bone marrow biopsy and/or body scan to assess your disease prior to admission depending on your diagnosis.

Some patients may require further tests including CT or an endoscopy (OGD).

All female patients who are menstruating or are on the contraceptive pill are required to have a Triptorelin 11.25mgs injection. This injection will stop menstruation for 3 months during transplant and recovery. If you are taking the contraceptive pill then this should be stopped pre transplant and once you have had your injection. Triptorelin treatment should be initiated on the first day of your menstrual cycle where possible, or given 2 weeks before admission to the bone marrow transplant unit, if no menstruation. It is important to note that this is not a contraceptive. A barrier form of contraception, such as condoms, will still be required.

You will also require a double lumen hickman line to be inserted pre transplant.

These are all needed so that we can look after you safely during your transplant.

• 1st clinic normally video call (VC) unless there are specific reason to see face to face
• 2nd clinic is always face to face (F2F) 1-2 weeks pre admission
• TBI planning if needed is at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre

You will have 2 clinic appointments with the transplant consultants.

The 1st clinic can be done by VC or in person (F2F). The decision to see you in person or VC will be a clinical decision by the transplant consultant. This 1st appointment is very detailed therefore we would always advise you to bring someone with you for this.

Once you have had the 1st consultation you will be sent consent forms and chemotherapy information sheets to read.

The 2nd clinic must be in person and cannot be a video call. This will be arranged for 1 to 2 weeks pre admission. This is your final meeting with the transplant consultants. You will be asked to sign your consent forms, which we will provide, please ensure you have read the copies you were sent before attending clinic. The BMT coordinators will take pre transplant bloods including virology blood tests for Hepatitis and HIV.

If you are having radiotherapy (TBI) as part of your transplant then you will be given an appointment 2 weeks before admission to attend the Beatson Tom Wheldon Building for radiotherapy planning. We coincide this with your 2nd appointment with the transplant team. You will be required to attend both hospitals in the same morning. Due to clinics being in the morning you will be required to be in Glasgow for 0900.

Clinical Trials - As part of your pre transplant assessment you may be offered to be part of a clinical trial if they feel you would be eligible.