What is the difference between bone marrow transplant and stem cell transplant?
A peripheral blood stem cell transplant is done to replace the same type of cell (stem cell) that is replaced in a bone marrow transplant. The difference is the method of stem cell collection. To collect or “harvest” bone marrow stem cells for a bone marrow transplant, the patient is taken into the operating room and given general anesthesia. A needle can be inserted into the pelvic (hip) bones to draw out the bone marrow. This is repeated until enough bone marrow is obtained for the transplant. The area from which the marrow is drawn may be sore for several days. In contrast to a bone marrow harvest, stem cell collection is done without general anesthesia, involves little discomfort, can be performed in an outpatient setting, and offers a faster recovery.
