Transplant
Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant: Types, Donors & Recovery
A bone marrow transplant uses healthy blood-forming stem cells to rebuild the bone marrow and blood system after disease or intensive treatment. Stem cells may come from the patient, a matched donor or donated umbilical cord blood.
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- Organ Transplant Experts
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- Organ Transplant Experts
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In short
A bone marrow and stem cell transplant replaces damaged or diseased blood-forming cells with healthy hematopoietic stem cells that can rebuild the patient's bone marrow and produce new blood cells. Depending on the disease, the cells may come from the patient, a related or unrelated donor, an identical twin or donated umbilical cord blood.
Can international patients have a bone marrow or stem cell transplant abroad?
Yes, within the limits set by lawInternational patients may undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation abroad when they meet the transplant centre's medical criteria and all donor, cell-processing, registry and cross-border regulations are satisfied.
A bone marrow transplant differs legally and medically from a kidney or liver transplant. Hematopoietic stem cells can be collected from peripheral blood, bone marrow or donated umbilical cord blood, and an unrelated donor may be entirely appropriate.
A biological family relationship is therefore not universally required.
For an allogeneic stem cell transplant, the donor must undergo appropriate medical and infectious-disease screening, provide voluntary informed consent, and meet the requirements of the transplant programme and any applicable donor registry.
The donated cells must be collected, processed, transported and administered according to applicable quality and safety standards.
When stem cells cross national borders, additional rules may govern donor registries, cell-processing facilities, transport, traceability and import or export of human cells.
For an autologous transplant, there is no external donor. The patient's own stem cells are collected before conditioning treatment and later returned to the patient.
| Relationship to the patient | Permitted by law | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Patient's own cells | No donor | Suitable autologous collection |
| Matched sibling | Yes, sibling | HLA compatibility |
| Other related donor | Family donor | HLA compatibility and donor suitability |
| Haploidentical donor | Usually close relative | Partial HLA match and transplant protocol |
| Matched unrelated donor | No | Registry search and HLA match |
| Identical twin | Twin | Syngeneic transplantation |
| Cord blood | No direct relationship | HLA suitability and adequate cell dose |
What falls outside this rule
The following should not be treated as acceptable transplant pathways:
Coercing someone to donate stem cellsFalsifying donor identityUsing inadequately screened donor cellsUsing unlicensed or untraceable cellular productsMisrepresenting experimental stem-cell therapy as established HSCTPerforming transplantation without appropriate haematology and transplant expertiseTransporting or importing cellular products outside applicable regulationsAdvertising unproven regenerative stem-cell injections as equivalent to a bone marrow transplant
A genuine hematopoietic stem cell transplant is a specialist medical procedure and should not be confused with unproven commercial “stem cell therapies.”
This platform does not find donors, introduce donors to patients, or take any part in an arrangement where an organ is paid for. A donation is assessed by a hospital ethics committee, under the law set out above.
What is a bone marrow and stem cell transplant?
A bone marrow transplant, more accurately called a hematopoietic stem cell transplant or HSCT, is a treatment that uses healthy blood-forming stem cells to restore the patient's ability to produce blood cells.
Blood-forming stem cells normally live in the bone marrow and produce:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygenWhite blood cells, which help fight infectionPlatelets, which help control bleeding
Before transplantation, patients usually receive chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy. This is called conditioning.
Conditioning may destroy cancer cells, suppress the immune system, make space in the bone marrow for transplanted cells, or achieve a combination of these goals.
The stem cells are then infused into the patient's bloodstream through a vein. This part of the procedure is generally more similar to a blood transfusion than to a surgical organ transplant.
The cells circulate through the bloodstream and migrate to the bone marrow, where successful cells begin producing new blood cells. This process is called engraftment.
Despite the traditional phrase “bone marrow transplant,” many modern transplants use stem cells collected from peripheral blood rather than directly from bone marrow.
- Bone marrow transplantation is a form of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
- Most modern transplants use blood-forming stem cells.
- Stem cells can come from the patient or a donor.
- Donor cells may come from peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood.
- The transplant itself is usually given through a vein.
- Chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy are given before transplantation.
- Successful stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and begin producing new blood cells.
- Full immune recovery can take many months.
Types of bone marrow and stem cell transplant
The most important distinction is whether the stem cells come from the patient or another person.
Autologous stem cell transplant
An autologous stem cell transplant uses the patient's own stem cells.
The cells are collected and stored before the patient receives high-dose treatment. They are then returned through an intravenous infusion.
Autologous transplantation avoids graft-versus-host disease because the patient's immune system is receiving its own cells.
It is commonly used in selected blood cancers, particularly multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas.
Allogeneic stem cell transplant
An allogeneic stem cell transplant uses stem cells from another person.
The donor may be a sibling, another family member or an unrelated volunteer found through a donor registry.
Allogeneic transplantation can provide a new blood-forming and immune system.
In certain blood cancers, donor immune cells may also attack remaining cancer cells. This beneficial effect is known as the graft-versus-leukaemia or graft-versus-tumour effect.
However, allogeneic transplantation introduces additional risks, including graft-versus-host disease.
Haploidentical stem cell transplant
A haploidentical transplant uses a donor who shares only part of the patient's HLA profile.
Parents, children and some siblings can be potential haploidentical donors.
Modern transplant protocols have made haploidentical transplantation an important option when a fully matched donor is unavailable.
Syngeneic transplant
A syngeneic transplant uses stem cells from an identical twin.
Because identical twins have extremely similar genetic and immune characteristics, this transplant is different from conventional allogeneic transplantation.
It is relatively uncommon because few patients have an identical twin.
Cord blood transplant
Stem cells can also come from donated umbilical cord blood collected after childbirth.
Cord blood can provide an alternative donor source when an appropriate adult donor is unavailable, although cell dose and speed of blood-count recovery can be important considerations.
- Autologous stem cell transplant
- Allogeneic stem cell transplant
- Matched sibling transplant
- Matched unrelated donor transplant
- Haploidentical transplant
- Syngeneic transplant
- Cord blood transplant
- Peripheral blood stem cell transplant
- Bone marrow stem cell transplant
Why is a bone marrow transplant performed?
A bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant may be used when a disease affects the bone marrow, blood-forming cells or immune system, or when intensive cancer treatment would otherwise destroy healthy blood-forming stem cells.
In some cancers, transplantation allows doctors to use very intensive chemotherapy and then restore blood production using previously collected stem cells.
With allogeneic transplantation, donor immune cells may also help destroy residual malignant cells.
HSCT may also provide potentially curative treatment for selected non-cancerous blood disorders and inherited diseases.
Conditions that may be treated include
Acute myeloid leukaemiaAcute lymphoblastic leukaemiaMyelodysplastic syndromesCertain chronic leukaemiasHodgkin lymphomaNon-Hodgkin lymphomaMultiple myelomaAplastic anaemiaSickle cell diseaseThalassaemiaCertain inherited immune deficienciesSelected metabolic or genetic disordersSome severe autoimmune diseases in highly selected circumstances
A transplant is not automatically appropriate simply because a patient has one of these diagnoses. Disease stage, previous treatment, age, organ function, donor availability and individual risk all affect the decision.
Comparison
| Criterion | Autologous stem cell transplant | Allogeneic stem cell transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Stem-cell source | Patient's own cells | Another person's cells |
| Donor search | Not required | Usually required |
| HLA matching | Not applicable | Important |
| Graft-versus-host disease | Does not occur from donor cells | Important potential complication |
| Graft-versus-tumour effect | No donor immune effect | May occur |
| Immunosuppression after transplant | Usually less extensive | Often required |
| Main applications | Often myeloma and lymphoma | Many leukaemias, marrow disorders and inherited diseases |
| Relapse considerations | No donor immune effect | Donor immune system may help attack malignant cells |
| Donor risk | None | Donor undergoes stem-cell collection |
| Complexity | Significant | Generally more immunologically complex |
Bone marrow and stem cell donor requirements
Donor selection for an allogeneic stem cell transplant focuses primarily on compatibility, donor safety and the likelihood that the donated stem cells can establish a functioning blood and immune system in the recipient.
One of the most important tests is HLA typing.
Human leukocyte antigens, or HLA markers, are proteins found on the surface of many cells. A closer HLA match generally reduces some transplantation risks.
A brother or sister may provide an excellent match, but many patients receive successful transplants from unrelated volunteer donors.
When a fully matched donor is unavailable, the transplant team may consider alternatives such as a haploidentical family donor or cord blood.
Donor evaluation :
HLA typing : Determines donor-recipient compatibilityGeneral health assessment : Protects donor and recipientBlood tests : Assesses blood counts and organ healthInfection screening : Reduces transmission riskMedical history : Identifies donor safety concernsPregnancy assessment where relevant : May affect collection planningVenous access : assessment Important for peripheral blood collectionAnaesthetic assessment : Needed if marrow is collected under anaesthesiaConsent assessment : Confirms voluntary informed donationRegistry requirements : Required for unrelated donor pathways
- Be medically suitable for donation
- Provide voluntary informed consent
- Complete infectious-disease screening
- Undergo HLA typing
- Complete relevant blood tests
- Be assessed for the planned collection method
- Understand possible side effects
- Satisfy donor-registry requirements where applicable
- Be free from coercion
- Be able to withdraw according to applicable donor procedures before collection
Bone marrow transplant pre-screening
Pre-screening helps determine whether a patient's diagnosis, treatment history and general medical condition are appropriate for review by a hematopoietic stem cell transplant team.
It does not confirm transplant eligibility or guarantee that a suitable donor will be found.
Patients considering treatment abroad may be asked to submit:
Confirmed diagnosisPathology reportBone marrow biopsy reportFlow cytometry resultsCytogenetic or molecular resultsComplete blood countPrevious chemotherapy recordsPrevious radiotherapy recordsTreatment responseCurrent disease statusPET/CT or other imaging where relevantKidney-function testsLiver-function testsCardiac historyLung historyInfection historyCurrent medicationsPerformance statusPrevious transplant historyHLA typing if already performedInformation about possible related donors
The transplant centre may request repeat pathology, additional genetic testing, donor searches or further medical assessments before deciding whether HSCT is appropriate.
A few questions about the diagnosis and the donor search. This is not an assessment of you, and it does not decide anything.
Bone marrow transplant risks and complications
A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is an intensive treatment with potentially serious complications.
Some risks result from the conditioning chemotherapy or radiotherapy, while others are caused by prolonged immune suppression or the interaction between donor and recipient immune systems.
Risk varies substantially according to transplant type, disease, patient age, donor compatibility, conditioning intensity, previous treatment and overall health.
Potential complications include:
Serious bacterial infectionsViral infectionsFungal infectionsLow blood countsAnaemiaBleedingNeed for blood or platelet transfusionsMouth and throat inflammationNausea and vomitingDiarrhoeaLoss of appetiteSevere fatigueHair lossLiver complicationsKidney injuryLung complicationsHeart complicationsInfertilityEarly menopauseHormonal effectsCataractsSecondary cancersFailure of engraftmentDisease relapseGraft rejectionGraft-versus-host disease after donor transplantationSevere organ damageTreatment-related deathGraft-versus-host disease
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a specific complication of allogeneic transplantation.
It occurs when immune cells from the donor recognise tissues in the recipient as foreign and attack them.
GVHD can affect:
SkinLiverGastrointestinal tractMouthEyesLungsJointsMusclesGenital tissuesOther organs
GVHD may be acute or chronic and can range from mild to life-threatening.
How to prepare for a bone marrow transplant
Before a bone marrow transplant, the transplant team evaluates both the disease and the patient's ability to tolerate intensive treatment.
The exact assessment depends on the underlying condition and whether the transplant will be autologous or allogeneic.
Pre-transplant preparation may also include fertility counselling because chemotherapy and radiotherapy can permanently affect fertility.
Patients may have an opportunity to discuss sperm, egg, embryo or ovarian-tissue preservation before treatment where appropriate.
Assessment may include:
Haematology consultationTransplant specialist consultationComplete blood countBone marrow biopsyDisease-specific molecular testingKidney-function testingLiver-function testingECGEchocardiogramLung-function testingChest imagingInfection screeningDental assessmentNutritional assessmentPsychological assessmentFertility counsellingPregnancy testing where applicableHLA typingDonor searchCentral venous catheter planningMedication reviewVaccination reviewFinancial and logistical planningPost-transplant caregiver planning
Patients should follow their transplant team's instructions regarding medicines, infection precautions and preparation for conditioning treatment.
What happens during a bone marrow or stem cell transplant?
The transplant process has several distinct stages rather than one surgical operation.
1. Stem-cell collection
For an autologous transplant, the patient's stem cells are collected before intensive conditioning treatment.
For an allogeneic transplant, cells are collected from the selected donor.
Most stem cells used today can be collected from peripheral blood through apheresis.
During apheresis, blood passes through a machine that separates the stem cells and returns the remaining blood components to the donor.
Stem cells can also be collected directly from bone marrow, usually from the pelvic bones under anaesthesia.
2. Conditioning treatment
Before transplantation, the recipient receives chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy.
The intensity varies according to the disease, transplant type, age and health of the patient.
Conditioning may destroy diseased cells, suppress the recipient's immune system and create space for the transplanted cells.
3. Stem-cell infusion
The actual transplant is usually not surgery.
The stem-cell product is infused through a central venous catheter into the bloodstream, similar to a blood transfusion.
Patients are generally awake during the infusion.
4. Engraftment
After infusion, the transplanted cells travel to the bone marrow.
The team then waits for the cells to establish themselves and begin producing adequate white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Blood counts are monitored frequently during this period.
5. Immune recovery
Blood-count recovery is only one part of recovery.
The immune system can remain impaired for months after transplantation, particularly after an allogeneic transplant.
Bone marrow transplant success rates and outcomes
There is no single meaningful bone marrow transplant success rate that applies to every patient.
Outcomes vary enormously according to:
DiagnosisDisease stageDisease response before transplantPatient ageGeneral healthTransplant typeDonor compatibilityStem-cell sourceGenetic and molecular disease featuresConditioning regimenPrevious treatmentsTransplant-centre experienceInfection riskDevelopment of graft-versus-host disease
A young patient undergoing transplantation for a non-malignant inherited disorder cannot meaningfully be compared with an older patient receiving transplantation for high-risk relapsed leukaemia.
For this reason, responsible transplant centres should provide disease-specific and patient-specific outcome estimates, rather than advertising one universal success percentage.
Outcome interpretation :
Overall survival : Percentage of patients alive after a defined periodDisease-free survival : Alive without recurrence of the original diseaseRelapse rate : Frequency with which the original disease returnsNon-relapse mortality : Death caused by transplant complications rather than relapseEngraftment : Donor or autologous cells successfully begin producing blood cellsGVHD-free survival : Survival without significant graft-versus-host diseaseTreatment-related mortality : Death related to transplantation or its complications
Patients comparing hospitals should always ask which population, disease and time period a quoted success rate refers to.
Stem cell donor risks, outcomes and recovery
Short-term risks
Stem-cell donation is generally much less invasive than living kidney or liver donation, but it is not completely risk-free.
Peripheral blood stem-cell donation
Before collection, donors commonly receive injections of a medicine that increases the number of stem cells circulating in the bloodstream.
Temporary effects may include:
Bone or muscle achesHeadacheFatigueFlu-like symptomsInjection-site discomfort
During apheresis, some donors experience tingling, cramps or temporary changes related to calcium levels.
Bone marrow donation
Bone marrow is usually collected from the pelvic bones while the donor is under anaesthesia.
Short-term effects may include:
Pain or soreness around the collection sitesTirednessBruisingTemporary anaemiaAnaesthetic-related risks
Long-term outcomes
Most appropriately selected donors recover completely after peripheral blood or bone marrow donation.
The body naturally replaces the donated stem cells.
Donors should nevertheless receive proper medical assessment and follow-up, and unrelated donors should be managed through appropriately regulated donor programmes or registries.
Donor recovery
Recovery depends on the collection method.
Peripheral blood stem-cell donors may return to usual activities relatively quickly, although temporary fatigue or bone discomfort can persist for several days.
Bone marrow donors may need more recovery time because collection involves anaesthesia and multiple needle insertions into the pelvic bone.
Donation is voluntary. A donor can change their mind at any point before surgery, for any reason, and does not have to explain why. An evaluation that does not make that plain is not a proper evaluation.
Bone marrow transplant recovery timeline
Recovery after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant is much longer than the infusion itself.
The first weeks are focused on engraftment and preventing potentially serious infections.
Patients may need to remain in hospital or close to the transplant centre until blood counts recover and the medical team considers discharge safe.
Even after discharge, the immune system can remain weakened for many months.
Full recovery may take up to a year or longer, particularly after an allogeneic transplant or when complications occur.
Bone marrow transplant recovery timeline
Before transplant : Stem-cell collection and medical assessmentConditioning : Chemotherapy with or without radiotherapyTransplant day : Stem cells infused through a veinFirst 2–4 weeks : Engraftment monitoring and high infection riskFirst several weeks : Hospital or close transplant-centre monitoringFirst 1–3 months : Frequent blood tests and specialist reviews3–6 months : Gradual immune and physical recovery6–12 months : Continued immune recovery and return toward normal activitiesAround 1 year and beyond : Some patients approach fuller recovery; others require longer follow-upLong term : Monitoring for relapse, GVHD and late treatment effectsRecovery may involve:
- Frequent blood tests
- Infection-prevention medicines
- Antiviral treatment
- Antifungal treatment
- Blood transfusions
- Immunosuppressive medication after some allogeneic transplants
- Nutritional support
- Gradual physical activity
- GVHD monitoring
- Vaccination planning
- Disease surveillance
- Psychological support
- Fertility and hormonal follow-up
- Long-term monitoring for secondary cancers and organ complications
Life after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant
A successful stem cell transplant can restore blood formation and, for certain diseases, provide long-term disease control or a potential cure.
Recovery, however, continues long after blood counts initially return.
Patients may remain more susceptible to infection while their immune system rebuilds. After allogeneic transplantation, monitoring for graft-versus-host disease may continue for months or years.
Some childhood vaccinations or adult immunisations may need to be repeated because previous immune protection can be lost during transplantation.
Long-term follow-up also monitors the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and transplantation on fertility, endocrine function, cardiovascular health, lungs, kidneys, bones and risk of secondary cancers.
Long-term follow-up may include:
- Blood-count monitoring
- Disease surveillance
- Bone marrow examinations where required
- GVHD monitoring
- Infection prevention
- Revaccination
- Fertility care
- Hormone monitoring
- Kidney-function testing
- Liver-function testing
- Lung assessment
- Cardiovascular-risk management
- Bone-health monitoring
- Cancer screening
- Psychological support
- Nutrition and exercise guidance
How much does a bone marrow transplant cost?
The cost of a bone marrow transplant varies substantially according to the country, hospital, diagnosis and transplant type.
An autologous transplant typically has a different cost structure from an allogeneic transplant because allogeneic treatment may require HLA testing, donor searches, donor collection, cell transportation and more intensive immune management.
The verified figure displayed below should be pulled from the platform's live price registry rather than being typed into this medical page.
Before comparing prices, patients should determine whether the quoted package includes:
Transplant specialist evaluationPre-transplant testingBone marrow biopsyHLA typingDonor searchDonor evaluationStem-cell collectionApheresisBone marrow harvesting where requiredCell processingCryopreservationStem-cell transportationConditioning chemotherapyRadiotherapy where requiredStem-cell infusionCentral venous catheterHospitalisationProtective isolationBlood productsAntimicrobial medicinesImmunosuppressive medicinesLaboratory monitoringPost-transplant follow-up
Patients should also establish whether donor-registry fees and prolonged hospitalisation for complications are included or charged separately.
Verified hospitals performing bone marrow and stem cell transplantation
A bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplant should be performed in a specialist transplant programme capable of managing intensive chemotherapy, cell collection and processing, donor matching, severe infections, transfusion support, graft-versus-host disease and other potentially life-threatening complications.
The hospitals displayed below are generated from the platform's verified provider and price registry.
A centre should appear only after its HSCT capability and relevant pricing information have been verified.
Patients should also determine whether the centre performs the specific transplant type required for their diagnosis, because not every transplant unit offers every form of autologous, allogeneic, haploidentical or paediatric transplantation.
No verified hospital has a price on record for this procedure yet. Hospitals appear here from the price registry once a person has verified them — never from a listing fee.
Where can international patients have a bone marrow transplant?
Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation is available in many countries, and international patients can receive treatment abroad in appropriate circumstances.
However, accessibility depends on much more than whether a hospital advertises transplantation.
For an autologous transplant, the primary issues are the patient's medical eligibility and the centre's ability to collect, preserve and reinfuse the patient's own cells.
For an allogeneic transplant, additional issues include donor matching, access to donor registries, HLA testing, cell collection, donor consent, transport and import or export requirements for cellular products.
International patients should verify:
Whether the centre treats their specific diseaseWhether it performs autologous transplantationWhether it performs allogeneic transplantationWhether unrelated-donor transplantation is availableWhether haploidentical transplantation is availableWhether cord blood transplantation is availableWhich donor registries the centre can accessHow HLA testing is performedWhether donor cells can legally cross bordersHow cells are transported and trackedHow long the patient must remain near the transplant centreWho manages complications after returning homeWhether follow-up can be coordinated with the patient's home haematologist
Request a bone marrow transplant eligibility review
If you are considering a bone marrow or stem cell transplant abroad, you can submit your diagnosis, pathology and previous treatment records for an initial review by a specialist transplant team.
If an allogeneic transplant is being considered, information about previous HLA typing or potential family donors may also be useful.
Submitting an enquiry does not confirm transplant eligibility, guarantee that a donor will be found or reserve donor stem cells.
The transplant centre makes the final decision after reviewing the disease, previous treatment, general health, donor options and transplant-specific risks.
- Read by a transplant coordinator, not an automated system.
- Your reports stay private and are never shared without your consent.
- Nothing is decided here — a transplant team assesses every case.
Bone marrow and stem cell transplant FAQs
What is a bone marrow transplant?
A bone marrow transplant is a treatment that replaces damaged or diseased blood-forming stem cells with healthy stem cells. The cells may come from the patient's own blood or bone marrow, from a related or unrelated donor, from an identical twin or from donated cord blood.
Is a bone marrow transplant the same as a stem cell transplant?
Bone marrow transplantation is a type of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The term “stem cell transplant” is broader because blood-forming stem cells can be collected from peripheral blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. Many modern transplants use peripheral blood stem cells rather than cells collected directly from bone marrow.
Which diseases can be treated with a bone marrow transplant?
Stem cell transplantation may be used for leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anaemia, sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and selected inherited immune or metabolic diseases. Whether transplantation is appropriate depends on the individual diagnosis and treatment history.
What is an autologous stem cell transplant?
An autologous transplant uses the patient's own stem cells. The cells are collected before intensive treatment, stored and later returned to the patient's bloodstream after conditioning therapy.
What is an allogeneic stem cell transplant?
An allogeneic transplant uses blood-forming stem cells donated by another person. The donor may be a sibling, another relative or an unrelated volunteer. Donor-recipient HLA compatibility is an important part of donor selection.
Does a bone marrow donor have to be a family member?
No. Some patients have a matched sibling or another suitable relative, but many allogeneic transplants use matched unrelated volunteer donors. Haploidentical family donors and cord blood may provide additional options when a fully matched donor is unavailable.
How are stem cells given during a transplant?
The cells are usually infused into a vein through a central line, similar to receiving a blood transfusion. They then circulate through the bloodstream and migrate to the bone marrow, where they can begin producing new blood cells.
Is bone marrow transplant surgery painful?
The recipient's stem-cell infusion is not normally a surgical operation. Patients are usually awake during the infusion. If stem cells are collected directly from a donor's bone marrow, the donor generally undergoes the collection procedure under anaesthesia.
What is engraftment?
Engraftment occurs when the transplanted stem cells establish themselves in the bone marrow and begin producing adequate new blood cells. Blood counts are monitored frequently to determine whether engraftment is occurring.
What is graft-versus-host disease?
Graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD, is a complication of allogeneic transplantation in which immune cells from the donor attack tissues in the recipient. It can affect organs including the skin, liver, digestive system, mouth, eyes and lungs and can range from mild to life-threatening.
What is the success rate of a bone marrow transplant?
There is no single reliable success percentage for all bone marrow transplants. Outcomes differ substantially according to the disease, disease stage, age, donor match, transplant type, previous treatment and overall health. A transplant centre should therefore provide an individualized or disease-specific estimate rather than a universal success rate.
How long does recovery take after a stem cell transplant?
Initial recovery usually takes several weeks, but rebuilding the immune system takes much longer. Full recovery may take up to a year or longer, especially after an allogeneic transplant or when graft-versus-host disease, infection or other complications occur.
Can international patients have a bone marrow transplant abroad?
Yes. International patients may receive autologous or allogeneic transplantation abroad when they meet the hospital's medical criteria and applicable donor, cellular-product and regulatory requirements. Follow-up planning is particularly important because complications can occur after the patient returns home.
Can unrelated people donate bone marrow or stem cells?
Yes. Unrelated volunteer donors are a standard source of hematopoietic stem cells and may be located through donor registries when no suitable family donor is available.
Key points
- HSCT replaces blood-forming cells; it does not replace an organ.
- Cells may come from the patient themselves, or from a donor.
- Donor matching is by HLA typing — blood group is not the question here.
- A sibling is usually tested first, and each full sibling has a limited chance of matching.
- Where no full match exists, half-matched and registry donors are established alternatives.
Matching here is not the same question as for an organ
Families who have researched kidney or liver transplantation often arrive expecting blood group to be decisive. For stem cells it is not: HLA typing is, and a sibling who shares a blood group may not match while one who does not may. Testing is the only way to know.