Whilst there may be an age cut off in some hospitals for bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants, age is not the only factor when doctors consider this type of treatment.
You ideally need to speak with your specialist doctor about this more to get a better understanding of why they don't think you are a suitable candidate for a transplant.
Bone marrow and stem cell transplants are gruelling treatments and can really take it's toll on the body during and after treatment. The general health and fitness level of a patient and any other health conditions need to be taken into consideration (regardless of age) for this treatment. The last thing anyone wants is to cause more harm than good with any treatment.
There are however cases where an older patient is offered this type of treatment and someone much younger isn't, it really doesn't just come down to age.
Speak to your team when you are able to get some clearer answers about this decision and what they are proposing for you moving forward.
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
That’s really helpful my dad is the same age and has just received his first round of treatment. I’m very involved with my mam and dad and hospital but feel like I still don’t know what the prognosis is.
am I correct in thinking that if this treatment doesn’t work there isn’t a great deal more they can do?
I think my mam and dad are trying to protect my sister and I, however we are both in our 40’s god love them x
i want to know the facts, my parents were quite happy for me to hear what all medical staff had to say but this was the first details I had and it was quite a shock to hear all this information.
I think it is natural to have questions when someone you love has cancer.
Without being involved in your dad's care it will not be appropriate for me to answer your questions with any great detail I am afraid. However, you may need to wait until he has finished his treatment to see what effect it has had on the cancer.
If treatment is not successful whether there will be other treatments I am afraid I do not know. That will depend on the cancer type, and how well and fit the person is for example. There may be different types of treatment that can be given.
Often close family members want more detail than the person going through the treatment. Knowing more about his prognosis (outlook) may not be what your dad wants to know about, at least not yet. So, with your dad's permission, you may want to ask his team about it. Although much may depend on how his cancer responds to the treatment he is on.
I hope this has helped. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
