A Stem Cell Transplant is an advanced medical procedure in which damaged or diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells. Stem cells are special cells in the bone marrow that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This treatment is commonly recommended for patients with blood cancers (such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma), aplastic anemia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and certain immune or genetic disorders.

Types of Stem Cell Transplant

• Autologous Transplant: Uses the patient’s own stem cells, collected before high-dose chemotherapy or radiation, and re-infused afterward to restore marrow function.
• Allogeneic Transplant: Healthy stem cells are taken from a compatible donor (family member, unrelated donor, or umbilical cord blood) and infused into the patient.

Procedure

• Conditioning Therapy: High-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation is given to destroy diseased marrow and suppress the immune system.
• Stem Cell Infusion: Collected stem cells are infused into the bloodstream like a blood transfusion.
• Engraftment: Within 2–4 weeks, the new stem cells start producing healthy blood cells.

Benefits

• Replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow.
• Restores normal blood formation and immunity.
• Offers potential cure for several life-threatening blood disorders.

Risks & Complications

• Infections due to weakened immunity.
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in donor transplants.
• Bleeding, organ complications, or delayed engraftment.