Blood Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant Facts

May 6, 2024 
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Leslie Popplewell, M.D., Hematologist and Medical Director of Hematology and Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant, City of Hope Atlanta

During a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, the care team replaces damaged cells with healthy cells to treat blood cancer.

What Is Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue inside of bones that generates immature stem cells, which later divide to make blood cells and platelets. When bone marrow is healthy, it releases blood cells into the bloodstream. White blood cells help protect the body from infections and diseases, while red blood cells carry oxygen through the body, and platelets help stop bleeding.

Certain diseases, including several blood cancer types, may damage the bone marrow, which reduces the body’s ability to create the blood cells necessary to stay healthy.

What Is Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant allows the care team to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy marrow. Prior to the transplant, the patient receives chemotherapy, sometimes along with radiation therapy, to ensure that the body is more receptive to receiving transplanted cells.

Then the new, healthy bone marrow is infused into the patient’s bloodstream, which then prompts the body to produce new cells.

What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are cells in the body that aren’t designed to serve a specific function, but are instead able to become specialized. While embryonic stem cells are necessary to form a baby during pregnancy, adult stem cells help replace and repair damaged cells in the body.

Adult stem cells are found throughout the body, but those used in transplantation come from the bone marrow or blood. These types of stem cells may help restore and renew blood cells.

What Is Stem Cell Transplant?

During a stem cell transplant, the care team takes stem cells from the patient’s own bloodstream or those from a donor and stores them while the patient undergoes chemotherapy (sometimes with radiation therapy) to prepare the body for the new cells. The care team then infuses the healthy stem cells into the patient’s bloodstream to replace damaged cells.

Stem Cell vs. Bone Marrow Transplant

The difference between stem cell transplants and bone marrow transplants comes down to where the transplanted cells are derived from.

  • Cells used in a bone marrow transplant come from the bone marrow.
  • Cells used in a stem cell transplant come from the bloodstream.

Because stem cells are easier to harvest from the body, stem cell transplants are more common than bone marrow transplants.

Types of Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant

The main types of bone marrow and stem cell transplant are listed below.

Autologous transplant: An autologous transplant uses stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow or bloodstream. These cells are stored while the patient undergoes chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Following treatment, the care team thaws the patient’s healthy stem cells and infuses them back into the bloodstream to replace the cells destroyed by treatment.

Allogeneic transplant: An allogeneic transplant uses stem cells that were harvested from another person who is matched as a compatible donor. The stem cell donor may be a family member or an unrelated donor with blood cells that are genetically similar to the patient’s. Following treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, these donated cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream.

Haploidentical transplant: This type of allogeneic transplant uses cells from a donor who isn’t an exact match, but is instead a half-match. This type of donation is used when an exact match cannot be identified and typically comes from a close family member, such as a parent, child or sibling.

Blood Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant at City of Hope

As one of the world's largest and most successful bone marrow and blood stem cell transplant centers, City of Hope® is a pioneer in creating breakthrough treatments for all hematologic cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes) and other blood-related disorders. We have pioneered new standards for stem cell transplantation and our research has helped improve long-term outcomes for patients of all ages.

City of Hope has proven expertise in stem cell and bone marrow transplantation. We’ve been recognized for our exceptional survivor rates, according to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. City of Hope’s stem cell and bone marrow transplant program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, the standard of excellence for blood and bone marrow transplant programs in the United States.

References
References
  • American Cancer Society (2023, May 4). Types of Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants. 
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/types-of-transplants.html

  • National Cancer Institute (2023, October 5). Stem Cell Transplants in Cancer Treatment. 
    https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/stem-cell-transplant

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (2020, July). What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplant?). ​​
    https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/bone-marrowstem-cell-transplantation/what-bone-marrow-transplant-stem-cell-transplant

  • Health Resources & Services Administration (Updated 2023, April 10) Searching for a Match. 
    https://bloodstemcell.hrsa.gov/transplant-basics/searching-match