Stem cell transplants: What to know

Stem cell transplantation -- which replaces diseased or damage stems cells in the patient's bone marrow with healthy ones -- is commonly used to treat various forms of blood cancers and disorders and is one of the most important medical advances in the last 50 years.

It is important for people with blood cancers and disorders to be aware of the two major types of stem cell transplants -- autologous and allogeneic -- and to know which type of transplant may be right for them.

"When people hear the words 'stem cell transplant,' there is a tendency to think about organizing local bone marrow drives to find a suitable donor if a relative is not a match. However, not everyone who could benefit from a stem cell transplant needs a donor," said Parameswaran Hari, MD, MS, Section Head and Director, Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

"In fact, the majority of stem cell transplants performed in the U.S. are done in patients using their own stem cells. We want to arm potential recipients with the facts so they can have an informed discussion with their physician should the need for a transplant arise."

Autologous vs. Allogeneic

While both types of stem cell transplants involve infusing healthy stem cells into the patient, the chosen type of transplant depends on the type of blood cancer, the health of the patient's own marrow, the extent of bone marrow injury caused by prior chemotherapy treatments and the overall health of the patient.