stem cell transplant

A stem cell transplant is a treatment in which diseased or damaged stem cells in the bone marrow are replaced with healthy stem cells. These healthy cells can come from the patient themselves, collected and frozen earlier, or from a donor. Before the transplant, a person usually receives intensive chemotherapy or radiation to destroy the diseased bone marrow. The new stem cells then establish themselves in the bone marrow and begin producing healthy blood cells again. This major treatment is used for certain forms of blood cancer and other serious disorders of the blood or immune system.