Stem cell and bone marrow transplants

Stem cell and bone marrow transplants are used to treat some types of cancer.

Find out more about what they are, what side effects to expect and how Maggie's can help.

What are stem cell and bone marrow transplants?

The aim of both stem cell and bone marrow transplants is to replace unhealthy stem cells with healthy ones. 

They are used with high dose chemotherapy to treat some cancers including myeloma, leukaemia and lymphoma. 

The difference between the two types of transplant is the way the stem cells are collected from you or a donor:

• Stem cell transplant – cells taken from the blood
• Bone marrow transplant – cells taken from the bone marrow

How are stem cells collected?

A couple of weeks before you have a transplant, stem cells will be collected from you or a donor.

• Bone marrow stem cells are taken from the pelvis under a general anaesthetic
• Stem cells from the blood are taken by a machine. This is called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection (PBSC)

After collection, the stem cells will be counted and stored ready for your transplant.

The transplant

Before your transplant, you will be given high-dose chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy, to kill any unhealthy cells. Healthy cells will also be affected.

The stem cells that have been collected previously from the blood or bone marrow will then be transplanted via a drip and these start to develop new healthy blood cells.

After your transplant

Recovery from a stem cell or bone marrow transplant is often a long, slow process and you may spend many weeks in hospital, in isolation, to allow your immune system to recover.

When you go home, you will have to make some adjustments while you continue recovering.

You'll be given information on side effects, nutrition, ways to prevent infection and who to contact if there's a problem.

There's lots of information about recovering from a transplant on the Anthony Nolan website.

Maggie's is here with you

We're here for you and your family before your transplant, whilst you're isolated in hospital and as you recover at home: 

• Our Cancer Support Specialists in our centres can talk through treatment concerns and guide you to the support that's right for you
• Our Benefits Advisors can discuss money worries and help you claim what you're entitled to
• Appointments with our psychologists to help manage difficult emotions
• Relaxation and managing stress sessions
• Eating well sessions with nutritional therapists
• Exercise groups for all abilities including yoga, tai chi and walking
• Meeting others in similar situations round the kitchen tables in our centres and in support groups

You don’t need an appointment or referral, just come in.

Last review: Oct 2021 | Next review: Oct 2022