Bone marrow is a substance found in the hollow bones of the hips, legs and arms. Some people have diseases that alter or destroy the bone marrow. These high-dose treatments kill cancer cells but also kill normal bone marrow stem cells. Once the stem cells are destroyed, blood production stops. Blood or bone marrow transplants restore stem cells destroyed by disease or treatment.
All transplants supply hematopoietic stem cells to restore blood production.
When the stem cells are collected directly from bone marrow, the transplant is called a bone marrow transplant. When the stem cells are collected from the blood, the tranplant is called a blood stem cell transplant or a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Allogeneic transplants use blood or bone marrow cells from another person, usually a sibling but sometimes another relative or an unrelated donor. Autologous transplants use the patient' s own blood or bone marrow cells which are removed prior to high-dose therapy, frozen and later returned. Frequently Asked Questions 1.