What is a blood or marrow transplant?
A blood or marrow transplant transfers blood-forming stem cells into a patient, intravenously, and is similar to a blood transfusion. The transplant replaces defective or missing marrow or is used to “rescue” a patient after high dose chemotherapy and/or radiation. Stem cells, from the bone marrow, the circulating peripheral blood or from umbilical cord blood, are taken from a related donor, an unrelated donor or from the patient. After the patient receives high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, the stem cells are transfused into the patient’s bloodstream. The cells find their way naturally to the marrow spaces of the bones. Once there, they begin to grow and multiply, repopulating the bloodstream with white cells, red cells and platelets.
