Hematologic oncology involves the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers and blood-related disorders. The Hematologic Oncology Program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) provides a range of medical therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.
One option for some blood-cancer patients is a stem cell transplant, medically known as a hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation. Advances in stem cell research have refined traditional approaches to reduce complications and improve benefits for patients.
A stem cell transplant infuses healthy stem cells into the body. Stem cells are collected from the bone marrow, circulating (peripheral) blood and umbilical cord blood. There are two main types of stem cell transplants:
This procedure collects, or harvests, the patient’s own stem cells, and freezes them before returning them to the patient following intensive chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Learn more about autologous stem cell transplants
Unlike an autologous stem cell transplant, an allogeneic stem cell transplant uses stem cells from a matching donor, such as a relative, an unrelated individual or from saved umbilical cord blood.
Learn more about allogeneic stem cell transplants
Before a stem cell transplant, you will likely undergo a conditioning regimen, which involves intensive treatment to destroy as many cancer cells as possible. This conditioning regimen may involve high doses of chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiation therapy (total body irradiation). Some patients may receive reduced-intensity conditioning (a “mini-transplant”), which uses lower, less toxic doses of chemotherapy.
Once complete, the patient is ready to undergo the transplant. Much like a blood transfusion, the stem cells are delivered intravenously. In the months following the transplant, doctors will monitor your blood counts. Transfusions of red blood cells and platelets may be necessary.
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