Stem Cell Transplants

Learning the Basics

The concept of the stem cell transplant is very simple. Stem cells from one person are transplanted to another when bone marrow has become damaged from disease or cancer treatment, like chemotherapy and radiation. The patient can also donate their own stem cells for use after chemotherapy.

There are different types of stem cell transplants and each is used to solve different medical conditions.

Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant

Stem cells can come from another person through a stem cell donation. This is called an allogenic stem cell transplant. An allogenic transplant is used in cases like leukemia where the stem cells are abnormal. This type of transplant may correct the problem.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

In some cases, a stem cell transplant is used for treatment purposes for cancers such as lymphoma and myeloma. This type of transplant involves very high dosages of chemotherapy to be given before the transplant. When treating cancers like lymphoma, the bone marrow is usually left damaged after chemotherapy.

Prior to the chemotherapy, stem cells from the patient are removed and store for later use. They are then returned to the patient after treatment to provide the bone marrow with new, healthy cells.

Regardless of the type of transplant, the stem sells are placed in the body just the same way as a transfusion would be done. It is done through a vein, and the stem cells find their way to the bone marrow and then create new blood cells.