What is a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant
A blood stem cell transplant may be the only treatment for many cancers or blood disorders.
A blood stem cell transplant, also called a blood or marrow transplant (BMT), replaces unhealthy blood forming-cells (blood stem cells) with healthy ones. The new healthy cells go into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) catheter or tube. It’s like getting blood or medicine through an IV. A blood stem cell transplant is not surgery.
After the cells are in your bloodstream, they make their way into your marrow (the soft tissue inside your bones) where they’ll grow into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. When they’re mature, they leave the marrow and enter the bloodstream.
Where do the healthy cells come from?
The healthy blood-forming cells used in transplant can come from three sources:
- Bone marrow: spongy tissue inside of bones
- Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC): blood-forming cells from the circulating blood
- Cord blood: the blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born
Your doctor will decide which source of cells is best for your situation.
What are the different types of blood stem cell transplant?
There are two main types of transplant:
- An autologous transplant uses your own blood-forming cells.
- An allogeneic transplant uses blood-forming cells donated by someone else.
When you have an allogeneic transplant, the cells can come from a family member with closely matched human leukocyte antigens (HLA), like a sibling. Or it could be someone who matches half of your HLA—called a haploidentical transplant—like your parent or your child.
The cells for an allogeneic transplant can also come from an unrelated adult donor or cord blood unit through the NMDP RegistrySM.
What’s the transplant process like?
While the path to transplant is different for everyone, there are some milestones throughout the process that you can expect. Learn more about the steps in the transplant process.
Which diseases does transplant treat?
Transplant can be used as a treatment for more than 75 different blood cancers and blood disorders. Get a better understanding of the blood cancers and diseases a transplant may treat.
How do you find a donor for an allogeneic transplant?
If you need an allogeneic blood stem cell transplant, your transplant team will search for a donor or cord blood unit for you. Discover how the process works to find a related or unrelated donor.
What questions should I ask as I make treatment decisions?
You won’t have to make treatment decisions on your own. Your health care team will help you understand the risks and benefits of treatment options, answer your questions and support you every step of the way. As you make a list of what you’d like to ask, use these questions to ask your doctor to help you get started.
What’s a clinical trial?
During your treatment, you might be able to join a clinical trial. Clinical trials help improve outcomes for some patients. They also help doctors learn how to make transplant work better for future patients.
Understand more about clinical trials and how NMDPSM can support you as you as you learn about and find a clinical trial.
If you've been diagnosed with a blood cancer or blood disorder, we're here to help.
Contact the NMDP Patient Support Center
We’re here to help! Our education and supportive resources are provided at no cost to you.
Get in touch
Fill out a request form (Opens in a new tab) and we’ll respond within 1 business day.
Connect with us directly
Call or text: 1 (888) 999-6743 or (763) 406-3410
Email: patientinfo@nmdp.org
Comunícate con el Centro de Apoyo al Paciente de NMDP
¡Estamos aquí para ayudarte! Nuestra educación y recursos de apoyo son gratuitos para ti.
Ponte en contacto
Completa el formulario y te responderemos (Opens in a new tab) dentro de un día hábil.
Conéctate con nosotros directamente
Conéctate con nosotros directamente: 1 (888) 999-6743 or (763) 406-3410
Correo electrónico: pacienteinfo@nmdp.org
Additional language support services
Access translated resources in 11 languages and telephone assistance available in over 100 languages. Learn more.
Discover more support services
Explore the full range of services we provide including group support, emotional and spiritual support, tips for healthy living after transplant and more.