Istvan Redei, MD, director of the Stem Cell Transplant and Cell Therapy Program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) Chicago, spoke to Healthline about how the measles outbreak may affect people receiving cancer treatment.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 839 confirmed cases of measles in 23 states as of May 10. Dr. Redei tells Healthline the measles outbreak is an issue for all patients undergoing cancer treatment, but especially those with certain hematologic diseases.
“It’s important that all cancer patients and their caregivers and families, particularly those who had received [a] stem cell transplant, be aware of the heightened risk of contracting the measles virus and to take precautions to limit any exposure to the virus.” Dr. Redei tells Healthline.