New Referrals Patient Selection Criteria Community Events Regional Weather Facts About Stem Cell Transplants Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside many bones of your body. Stem cells divide to form more stem cells or they can divide and become fully mature blood cells.
Most stem cells mature in the bone marrow.
However, some stem cells circulate in blood vessels throughout your body. Other patients have cancers that can't be cured with ordinary levels of chemotherapy or radiation. The high-dose therapy given prior to transplantation destroys normal bone marrow function and stem cells. The transplant replenishes your body with stem cells capable of producing mature blood cells. The pre-testing is scheduled and completed and potential donors are also evaluated during this step if necessary.