What is a stem cell transplant?
A stem cell transplant is a process involving the removal of stem cells from the blood stream, which are then stored frozen under carefully controlled conditions. After treatment with high dose chemotherapy, these cells are returned back to the patient to rebuild damaged bone marrow. In many types of cancer, the dose of chemotherapy given is very important in achieving the best results. The use of very high doses of chemotherapy has been shown to cure some patients with cancer. However, these high dose therapies not only kill the invading cancer cells but can destroy healthy bone marrow as well. The stem cell transplant allows the physician to minimize serious complications by rebuilding the damaged bone marrow. Giving high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplant does not provide a guarantee that the cancer will not reoccur, but it can increase the possibility of a cure or at least prolong the period of disease-free survival for many patients. It is important to remember tha
