Major Breakthrough Cancer Cures

Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant is a procedure used to replenish and replace the stem cells or blood-forming cells in the bone marrow of individuals affected by certain types of cancer. Stem cell transplants can also be used for patients who have had their bone marrow damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy used in high doses to treat another form of cancer. The cells in the bone marrow called stem cells are what forms the white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. In individuals affected by some forms of leukemia or multiple myeloma, a stem cell transplant can provide immune defense against growing cancer through the transplanted white blood cells. Other forms of cancer that can be treated using a stem cell transplant are lymphoma and neuroblastoma. There are three types of stem cell transplants. An autologous transplant involves the transplantation of stem cells that come from the patient's own body. An allogeneic transplant involves the transplantation of stem cells from a separate but compatible donor to the patient. A syngeneic stem cell transplant involves the transplantation of stem cells from the patient's identical twin if applicable.

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