Blood cancers and diseases treated by transplant
A blood stem cell transplant, also called a bone marrow transplant, blood or marrow transplant, or BMT, can treat more than 75 different blood cancers and diseases. Groundbreaking research continues to advance the science of transplant so more diseases can be treated with peripheral blood stem cells, bone marrow, and cord blood.
Explore the diseases that can be treated by transplant and how NMDPSM can help you or your loved one on the journey to a cure.
Blood cancers treated by blood stem cell transplant
Blood cancers cause uncontrolled growth of unhealthy cells in the bone marrow where blood cells are made. They can broadly be categorized as different types of leukemias, lymphomas and myelomas.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
A fast-growing cancer that affects immature white blood cells (lymphoblasts) in the bone marrow. ALL is the most common leukemia in children under 15, with about 6,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
A rapidly progressing cancer that starts in the bone marrow and results in an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. AML is the most common acute leukemia in adults, with about 22,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
A slow-growing cancer that affects the white blood cells responsible for fighting infections. CLL primarily impacts adults and is rare in children, with about 24,000 new diagnoses each year in the U.S.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
A type of leukemia that begins in the bone marrow and leads to uncontrolled growth of mature white blood cells. CML has about 10,000 new diagnoses each year in the U.S.
Hodgkin lymphoma
A cancer of the lymphatic system that causes abnormal growth of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly treatable disease that can be cured with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and blood stem cell transplant. There are about 9,000 new diagnoses of Hodgkin lymphoma each year in the U.S.
Multiple myeloma (MM)
A cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections. Multiple myeloma causes plasma cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out healthy blood cells. Each year, more than 36,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S., mostly in adults over 60.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
A group of diseases that prevent the bone marrow from producing enough healthy blood cells. MDS can develop into leukemia.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
A diverse group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system, affecting the body’s ability to fight infections. NHL is one of the most common cancers, with around more than 80,000 new diagnoses each year in the U.S., primarily in adults over 60.
Blood disorders treated by blood stem cell transplant
A blood stem cell transplant can treat or cure many blood disorders, immune system disorders and inherited metabolic disorders, including:
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
A rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and adrenal glands, leading to severe neurological damage. The most severe form, cerebral ALD, primarily affects boys and occurs in about 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 50,000 individuals worldwide.
Hurler syndrome
A genetic condition that prevents the body from breaking down certain sugars, leading to progressive organ damage. Without treatment, children with Hurler syndrome often do not survive past early childhood.
Krabbe disease (globoid-cell leukodystrophy)
A rare inherited disorder that destroys the protective coating (myelin) of nerve cells in the brain and nervous system. Krabbe disease is most common in infants, with about 1 per 100,000 cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD)
MLD appears most often in babies and young toddlers, but it also occurs in older children and adults. MLD is rare. It occurs in about 1 in 40,000 to 160,000 individuals worldwide.
Severe aplastic anemia (SAA)
A condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, leading to severe fatigue, infections, and uncontrolled bleeding. It is a rare disease, with 600-900 new cases diagnosed each year.
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
A group of rare genetic disorders that cause life-threatening immune system deficiencies. Without treatment, SCID can be fatal within the first year of life. In the U.S., about 1 in 50,000 babies are born with SCID.
Sickle cell disease (SCD)
An inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen, leading to blockages in blood flow and severe pain. SCD affects more than 120,000 people in the U.S., primarily those of African American or Hispanic descent.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS)
A rare genetic immune system disorder that leads to bleeding problems, eczema, and recurrent infections. It primarily affects boys, with about 1–10 cases per million births in the U.S.
Other diseases
A blood stem cell transplant can also treat many other diseases.
What to expect from a blood stem cell transplant
A blood stem cell transplant can be a cure for many diseases, but the process can feel overwhelming. Understanding what to expect—from finding a donor to recovery—can help you feel more prepared.
75+ diseases
Number of diseases that can be cured or treated by a blood stem cell transplant.
41 million
Number of potential donors worldwide that patients have access to through every donor search.
6,500+
Number of transplants NMDP facilitates every year, connecting patients to life-saving donors.