Possible Side Effects of Stem Cell Transplants
White it is rare, stem cell transplants may cause mild side effects. The most common problems include an unpleasant body odor or a garlic taste. They tend to last for a couple of days and then disappear. Other possible side effects may include fever, chills, low blood pressure, coughing, shortness of breath, hives, chest pain, weakness, chest tightness, or reduced urination. The most serious risk from an allogeneic transplant is graft-versus-host-disease. It happens when new cells in the immune system from a donor mistakenly see the patient’s tissue cells as harmful substances and attack them. If left untreated, the condition would lead to life-threatening symptoms.[9]
