Stem Cell Transplant
Stem cell transplantation is an essential part of treatment for some people with lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma and other hematological (blood) disorders. Your exact treatment plan will be determined based on your type and stage of cancer.
About Stem Cell Transplant
Stem cell transplant is also called hematopoietic cell therapy and includes bone marrow transplant. It involves high-dose chemotherapy, sometimes together with total body radiation, to destroy the diseased cells. Stem cell transplant also destroys a person's bone marrow (soft spongy tissues that exist inside large bones and produce new blood cells). Stem cells (young, immature cells) are then infused (transplanted) into the person with the goal of regenerating the marrow, which will then produce healthy blood cells.
There are 2 major types of stem cell transplant based on the type of donor stem cells used:
- Autologous transplants - Your own stem cells are used.
- Allogeneic transplants - Stem cells come from your relative or an unrelated donor.