I had a sct almost 9 years ago at age 68 as it was standard protocol at that time. I am still on my initial response and doing fine.My oncologist has told me that they don't do them anymore except in rare cases.

60 had AST earlier this year, in the hospital 16 days- biggest side effect for me was loss of appetite from day five through the next month. Reached day #100 in July, I'm in remission on a once a month maintenance shot.

My teams never pushed me to transplant- they gave me all the tools and time to decide as I was very nervous.

My SCT was perform February of 2026 and I was 72. 16 days in hospital and 5 more days within 100 miles from the U of M hospital in case of difficulties that may occur, but I never had to return to hospital. The first two weeks at home I slept for 20+ hours a day. Now pretty much back to normal except for fatigue caused by maintenance with Velcade. Hopefully the SCT will improve my quality of life later in life with the progression of the disease. That’s why I went through with the SCT.
Good Luck to everyone with whatever you all decide on your treatments!!

Find the Dana- Farber Dec 2023 Press Release where they stated “Keep the SCT In Reserve if you had a Very Good or Better Response to Induction”.

Also find and Read the Dana-Farber Determination Trial. It set the Standard of Care for getting SCTs (possibly 20 years ago).

This Trial was Before Newer Treatments and Newer Testing Methods (only 10 -5, not the more sensitive 10 -6 of clonoSEQ)

The Determination Trial showed that All Participants had the Same Overall Survival Rate, even Without the SCT.

The SCT Only delayed the time to the First Relapse - Based on Older Treatments.

The Trial Also showed that Participants that Received the SCT had more Infections and Complications of a more Serious Nature.

I’ve Read the Determination Trial and I’ve Documented many of this at my Story @A MyMyelomaTeam Member.

It was helpful in its Time but now with Newer Treatments, it’s Risks Far Outweigh any potential Benefits.

5 Years Ago - I was Diag as Stage 2, 5915 IgA with t4;14 high risk. Thanks to DarzFasPro + RVd, I had an Excellent Recovery, returning to Normal Labs in just 5 weeks. After 3 months Induction and 4 months reduced Maintenance, when they found and did the #123218 IFE, Dara-Specific Lab Test, they found my persistent 0.1 MSpike was actually False. They then got me the Blood Test clonoSEQ which showed I was 10 -6 MRD Negative.

I never Collected my Stem Cells, due to the Chemicals Involved and I had No SCT.

I remain MRD Negative and on No MM Meds, with No Annual Imaging and No Annual BMB.

My Labs remain Excellent in all Categories. Now at 72, I require no older age Meds of any sorts.

Mentioned Users

A MyMyelo...

I am 70 next month, got high risk stage 3 Lambda light chains MM at 67 turned down the SCT, after 2 years off all meds and MRD-Negative -6