Stem cells are special cells in the blood that produce the different types of blood cells your body needs. A stem cell transplant (also called hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or HSCT) uses healthy stem cells to replace diseased ones in people who have cancer or other diseases that affect their bone marrow and immune system.
The transplant process is long and complicated, and you’ll need to spend time in the hospital. But it’s an effective treatment for some serious diseases, and it can help you regain health after a severe illness or surgery.
If you get a stem cell transplant, your care team will give you drugs to suppress your immune system and keep it from rejecting the new cells. They’ll also treat you with chemotherapy and radiation to kill any remaining cancer cells in your body.
To find a donor for a stem cell transplant, the care team will do a type of blood test called HLA typing. This compares blood samples from the donor and the person getting the transplant to see if they’re a match. The best match is usually from a close relative, like a brother or sister. But about 75% of people need a donor from outside their family. The care team will search registries to find one for them.
Before the transplant, you’ll have a special procedure to collect stem cells from your bloodstream. It’s called apheresis and it takes about an hour. The care team may give you growth factors to speed up the collection process. Once the healthy stem cells are ready, they’re injected into your vein. They enter your bloodstream and go to your bone marrow, where they produce healthy blood cells. This is known as engraftment.
A successful stem cell transplant can help you feel better and live longer. But it can also have some serious side effects, including the risk of infection and problems with your blood counts. Talk to your care team about all the risks and benefits of this treatment. And find support through other family members, friends, a counselor, or a social worker. It’s important to have help through the hospital stay and your recovery period, which can last months or years. Also, be sure to take your medications as prescribed. And follow up with your doctor for regular checkups.
