If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a blood condition like leukemia, your doctor might mention a procedure called leukapheresis. Hearing a complex medical word for the first time can feel scary and overwhelming.
You might wonder what this treatment involves, why you need it, and whether it hurts. We will walk through everything step by step in plain, simple English so you feel informed, confident, and prepared.
Key Takeaways About Leukapheresis
- Blood Filtering: Leukapheresis is a specialized medical process that filters extra or abnormal white blood cells out of your blood.
- Not a Standalone Cure: It works quickly to lower white blood cell counts, but doctors use it alongside other treatments like chemotherapy.
- Stem Cell Collection: Doctors also use this exact technique to gather healthy stem cells for bone marrow or CAR T-cell therapies.
- Safe and Monitored: Trained medical staff monitor you closely during the 2-to-3-hour process to keep you safe and comfortable.
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What is Leukapheresis?
Simply put, leukapheresis is a special medical procedure that removes excess white blood cells from your blood. You can think of it as a specialized blood-cleaning process. When your body produces too many white blood cells, your blood can become thick, which makes it harder for your heart to pump smoothly.
During this procedure, the medical team follows these clear steps:
- First, they take a small amount of blood out of your body through a tiny tube in your arm.
- Next, that blood flows through a special machine that gently separates and removes the extra white blood cells.
- Finally, the remaining parts of your blood—your red blood cells, platelets, and plasma—flow right back into your body.
Important Note: Leukapheresis is not a standalone cure for blood cancers. Instead, doctors use it as a quick tool to reduce high cell counts while you prepare for or undergo other primary treatments like chemotherapy.
Why Do You Need This Treatment?
Your doctor might recommend leukapheresis for a few different medical reasons. Every patient has a unique health journey. This procedure targets specific blood and cell needs.
| Why It Is Used | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Managing Certain Leukemias | If you have acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with dangerously high white blood cell counts, this procedure quickly brings those numbers down to protect your blood vessels and heart. |
| Collecting Cells for Advanced Therapies | Modern treatments like CAR T-cell therapy require healthy white blood cells. Doctors use leukapheresis to harvest these specific cells safely from your own body. |
| Stem Cell Transplants | Before undergoing a bone marrow or stem cell transplant for lymphoma or multiple myeloma, doctors use this method to collect healthy stem cells for your future recovery. |
| Stem Cell Donation | If you are generously donating healthy stem cells to help save another person's life, medical teams use this same safe process to collect the cells. |
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Check Availability →What Happens Before the Procedure?
Before your leukapheresis session begins, your doctor will check your overall health. They want to make sure your body is ready and strong. These routine tests help your care team plan safely:
- Complete Blood Counts: Measuring your white cells, red cells, and platelets.
- Electrolyte Tests: Checking your body's vital salt and mineral balance.
- Organ Function Checks: Ensuring your kidneys and liver are working properly.
- Clotting Studies: Reviewing how well your blood naturally clots.
The entire treatment usually takes about two to three hours. To stay comfortable, wear loose, soft clothes to your appointment. Bringing a book, your phone, or headphones can help pass the time while you relax in the reclining chair.
What Happens During the Procedure?
You will recline comfortably in a special chair or bed while the medical team performs the treatment. Nurses will place intravenous (IV) lines into the veins in both of your arms. One IV line gently draws blood out into the machine. This the second IV line returns your filtered blood back into your body.
In some cases, if your arm veins are small or fragile, doctors place a single larger tube called a central line into a vein near your neck or collarbone instead.
During the process, you might notice a mild tingling feeling around your mouth or in your hands and feet. Please do not worry if this happens. This occurs because the anti-clotting medicine used in the machine slightly lowers your calcium levels.
If you feel any tingling, tell your doctor or nurse right away. They can give you extra calcium through your IV line to make the feeling go away right away.
What Happens After and Potential Side Effects
Once the treatment finishes, your medical team will monitor you for a short while to ensure you feel well. Sometimes, if the machine removed a few extra red blood cells or platelets along the way, you might need a brief blood transfusion to help you recover your energy.
Like any medical treatment, leukapheresis can cause mild side effects. However, severe side effects are rare because your medical team watches you closely the entire time.
Common side effects may include:
- Hypocalcemia: A temporary drop in blood calcium that causes mild tingling, easily fixed with IV calcium.
- Anemia: A drop in red blood cells that can make you feel tired, which doctors can treat with a blood transfusion if needed.
- Thrombocytopenia: A lower platelet count that might mean minor cuts take slightly longer to stop bleeding.
When you return home after your appointment, plan to rest for the rest of the day. By the next morning, you should feel ready to return to your normal daily routine.
When to Call Your Doctor
Your care team will monitor your health closely throughout your treatment. However, you know your body best. If you notice any warning signs at home, contact your doctor right away.
Emergency Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Help
Call 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or go to your nearest Emergency Department right away if you experience severe shortness of breath or chest pain.
- Fever: A body temperature above 100.4°F (38°C), which can signal an infection.
- Catheter Site Issues: If you have a central line and the skin around it becomes red, swollen, painful, or starts leaking fluid.
- Worsening Symptoms: If your original illness symptoms get worse or brand-new unusual symptoms appear.
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