What Is a Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant?
A bone marrow stem cell transplant is a type of transplant in which stem cells which are capable of differentiating into different kinds of blood cells are transplanted from a donor to a recipient. This type of transplant is seen in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma, among many other conditions which involve the blood. There are a number of sources for donor material, and thanks to improvements in technology, the cells can sometimes be harvested from the blood, rather than the bone marrow, which reduces risks for donors. This type of transplant is also known as a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, referencing the type of stem cells involved. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which can differentiate into any kind of cell, hematopoietic cells are only capable of differentiating into blood cells. When they are infused into a patient, they make their way into the bone marrow and start reproducing, generating fresh blood for the patient.
