Stem Cell Transplant
Also known as: bone marrow transplant, BMT, SCT, HSCT
Replacing diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells.
Definition
A stem cell transplant (also called a bone marrow transplant) replaces diseased or treatment-damaged bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells. In an autologous transplant the patient's own stem cells are collected, stored, and given back after high-dose chemotherapy — widely used in multiple myeloma and some lymphomas. In an allogeneic transplant the cells come from a matched donor — used mostly for leukemia, severe aplastic anemia and some lymphomas.
Transplant is a complex treatment requiring close monitoring for infection, bleeding and (in allogeneic transplants) graft-versus-host disease, but it can produce long-term remission and even cure in selected patients. Learn more on the stem-cell transplant service page.
See also
- Leukemia — A cancer of the white blood cells that begins in the bone marrow.
- Lymphoma — A cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune defence.
- Multiple Myeloma — A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that can cause bone pain, anemia and kidney problems.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy — A procedure that samples the spongy tissue inside a bone to look for blood-cell disorders.
- Hematologic Malignancy — A cancer that arises in the blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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