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Introduction: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) represents a standard therapy in the management of hematologic malignancies such as malignant lymphomas and has used for approximately three decades. The aim of this study was to determine the occurring post-ASCT complications and their impact on the patients' recovery for a better management. Material and methods: An observational retrospective study was performed during a five-year period between 2012 and 2017, involving 58 classical Hodgkin lymphoma and 36 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, who underwent ASCT in the Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit of Tîrgu Mureş. The main analyzed complications were: infections, bleeding, hydroelectrolytic disorders, and hypoalbuminemia. Results: After data analysis we found that 17 patients (18%) presented microbiologically confirmed infection, 10 patients (11%) presented clinically non-significant bleeding, 39 patients (42%) presented electrolyte disorders, and 33 patients (36%) presented hypoalbuminemia, obtaining a positive correlation between the rate of adverse events after ASCT with age (r = 0.9914, p = 0.0009) and the average hospitalization period (r = 1, p <0.00001). Conclusions: The identification of adverse events and their correlation with the patients' clinical outcome can lead to better patient management and a faster recovery after ASCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide and become differentiated. Hematopoietic stem cells cannot transform into new stem cells such as cardiomyocytes or new heart valves, but they act through paracrine effects, by secreting cytokines and growth factors that lead to an increase in contractility and overall improved function. In this case report, we present how autologous stem cell transplantation can bring two major benefits: the first refers to hematological malignancy and the second is about the improvement of the heart condition. We present the case of a 60-year-old patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma suffering from a bi-valve severe condition in which autologous stem cell transplantation led to the remission of the patient's malignant disease and also improved the heart function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is one of the most aggressive monoclonal gammopathies, being characterized by the presence of more than 20% of plasma cells in the peripheral blood and an absolute number of these cells of more than 2×109, with different morphology, from young elements to mature cells. The incidence of PCL varies between 2–4% among multiple myeloma (MM) patients. In comparison with MM, PCL appears more often in younger patients. The following article describes the case of a 49-year-old female patient diagnosed with PCL which needed urgent control of the clinical manifestations due to its irreversible complications. Urgent autologous stem cell transplantation is recommended in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]