Stem Cell Transplant Results in Remission of Greg’s Cancer
February 22, 2024
Initial tests by Greg’s Memorial primary care physician showed something was wrong with his kidneys. Greg was referred to the Memorial ER, and then to Atif Hussein, MD, medical director of East Operations - Hematology and Oncology at Memorial Cancer Institute and Program Director, Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Healthcare System.
“Dr. Hussein looked at me and said something I will never forget: ‘We’ll get this under control. We’ll take care of you,’” said Greg, who has multiple myeloma.
“Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow,“ said Dr. Hussein “When we first treated him and he went into remission, I said, ‘Let’s harvest the healthy cells, freeze them and have them for you to use.’”
Five years later, Greg’s cancer returned. At that time, Greg and doctor, Hugo Fernandez, MD, chair and medical director, Moffitt Malignant Hematology and Cellular Therapy at Memorial Healthcare System, decided Greg would undergo a stem cell transplant using Greg’s previously frozen healthy cells to attack the cancerous cells.
“The harvest and hold decision just made a ton of sense. I can go home being healthy and strong,” said Greg.
“We were so lucky to have Memorial. It gave us so much more of our life to live,” said Donna, Greg’s wife.
