Stem Cell Transplantation

Stem Cell Transplantation - A procedure that replaces unhealthy stem cells (blood-forming cells) with healthy ones. The body depends on stem cells to help produce red blood cells (which carry oxygen throughout the body), white blood cells (which fight infection), and platelets (which help with blood clotting). A stem cell transplant infuses more healthy stem cells into the body for patients who are not producing enough normal stem cells of their own.

Stem cells can be collected from the bone marrow (bone marrow transplant), circulating blood(peripheral stem cell transplant), or umbilical cord blood (cord blood transplant). Stem cells may be taken from the patient themselves (autologous), or from a matching donor (allogeneic). The stem cells are normally harvested, stored, and, after high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, transplanted back into the body. Stem cell transplantation may be a treatment option for cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Previous: Stem Cell

Next: Stomach Cancer

Back to the Cancer Glossary