Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental HealthSleepOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestNo More SilenceFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaShopProducts by ConditionInsomniaStress ReliefBack PainNeck PainSleep ApneaHot SleepersAllergiesPain ReliefProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShopSubscribe

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation What You Should Know

Medically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Jaime Herndon, MS, MPH, MFA on October 5, 2022Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can treat several types of cancers and some noncancerous conditions. It involves giving healthy stem cells to someone to replace damaged or depleted reserves of stem cells and to help treat disease. This article will provide more information about the process and why it can be helpful in treating different types of cancer and noncancerous conditions.

What is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

A hematopoietic stem cell is an immature cell. It can develop into any kind of blood cell, including white blood cells and platelets. These kinds of cells are found in the bone marrow and blood in your veins. However, certain kinds of cancers as well as chemotherapy can destroy or deplete bone marrow and cells that are important in the body’s functioning. A hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a process where healthy hematopoietic stem cells are infused into someone with depleted bone marrow or bone marrow that’s dysfunctional in some way due to disease. This infusion of healthy cells helps destroy disease or, in the case of immune disorders, helps provide functional cells to replace those that are impaired.

What is a stem cell

Stem cells are the cells in the body that later develop into the brain, blood, bones, and organs. They’re sometimes called “master cells.”

Stem cells may be able to: repair or replace cellshelp cells regenerate or regrowbe used as a treatment for various conditions There are two main kinds of stem cell transplantations:Autologous HSCT uses a person’s own stem cells. The cells are removed, treated, and then returned to the body after a special conditioning regimen.Allogeneic HSCT uses stem cells from a donor, which can be a family member or an unrelated person.

What is this type of transplantation used for

HSCT can be used for both cancerous and noncancerous diseases. Cancers it can help treat include:multiple myelomaHodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomaacute myeloid leukemiaacute lymphocytic leukemiamyelodysplastic syndromechronic myeloid leukemiachronic lymphocytic leukemiamyelofibrosisessential thrombocytosispolycythemia verasolid tumors Noncancerous diseases it can help treat include:aplastic anemiasevere combined immune deficiency syndrome (SCID)thalassemiasickle cell anemiavarious other noncancerous diseases, including primary immunodeficiency diseases

Difference between bone marrow transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Many times, the terms “bone marrow transplant” and “stem cell transplant” are interchangeable. However, the location where doctors harvest the stem cells can help guide the most precise terminology. Bone marrow is the spongy substance in the middle of some bones. It contains stem cells since bone marrow’s main purpose is to make blood cells for your body. Your pelvic bones have the most marrow. This is typically where bone marrow is taken from when doing a bone marrow transplant. In hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the stem cells can come from: bone marrowblood in your veins (peripheral blood)umbilical cord blood

Where do the stem cells come from

Stem cells that are drawn from bone marrow, blood from a vein, and from an umbilical cord can come from several places in your body:

Hip bones

Hip bones have the most marrow and a lot of stem cells. This is where doctors often source stem cells to do transplantations. Transplantations are done under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain. A doctor inserts a large needle through the lower back into the hip bone. The marrow is filtered, put into special bags, and frozen. When it’s used, it’s inserted into a vein.

Peripheral blood

In this case, a doctor places a catheter into a vein. The blood goes into a special machine that separates the stem cells from the rest of the blood products. The rest of the blood is returned to the person’s body. The stem cells are filtered, put into special bags, and frozen until the transplantation.

Newborns

Newborns have a lot of stem cells. The blood left in the umbilical cord can be saved and stored for a possible stem cell transplantation later on.

Are there risks or side effects from this transplantation

Any medical procedure or treatment, including stem cell transplantation, has potential risks. These possible risks can be thought of as acute or chronic. They can also depend on the person’s age, baseline health, source of transplant (self or donor), and the kind of pre-transplant regimen. Acute (short-term) complications can include:myelosuppression with neutropeniaanemialow plateletsmucositisacute graft-versus-host diseasegram-positive and gram-negative infectionsherpes simplex viruscytomegalovirusyeast infection Chronic (long-term) complications can include:chronic graft-versus-host diseaseinfection with encapsulated bacteriavaricella zoster virus

How do you prepare for this stem cell transplantation

Before the transplantation, you will have pre-transplant treatment. This typically involves high dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It takes about 1 to 2 weeks to complete. It’s done to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the body as well as make room for the transplanted stem cells. Your pre-transplant treatment will vary depending on your cancer or disease, the kind of transplant needed, and your treatment history. Pre-transplant treatments can cause significant side effects, such as:mouth soresnauseavomitinghair losstrouble breathinginfertility Your healthcare team can help you manage these symptoms. After the conditioning, you’ll have a few days to rest before transplantation. You will most likely be in the hospital for the transplantation itself. Outpatient transplantations are rare. Once you’re admitted to the hospital, you will be in a room that has special air filters to help reduce the chances of infection. Transplantation is done through a catheter, like a blood transfusion.

What can you expect after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant

After an HSCT, you may also have some side effects from the infusion. These side effects are typically mild. They can include the taste or smell of garlic from the preserving agent used when freezing the stem cells. Sucking on hard candies or drinking flavored drinks, like juices, can help reduce this. Other side effects can include:fever or chillsshortness of breathhiveslow blood pressurechest painless urinary outputfatigue or weakness Recovery time is typically about 2 to 6 weeks. You may be in the hospital during this time or return daily for several weeks for monitoring and follow-up care. Your blood counts will be low. You may be given antibiotics to protect your immune system and prevent infection, along with regular blood transfusions. Emotionally, you might have a variety of feelings, from happiness and loneliness to anxiety. There may be a post-transplantation support group at your treatment center or hospital that you can join for support as you recover.

How much does this transplant cost

As with many healthcare procedures in the United States, HSCT is costly, and costs continue to rise. One 2017 study found that the median total healthcare cost at 100 days ranged from around $140,000 for an autologous HSCT to nearly $290,000 for an allogeneic HSCT with a myeloablative pre-transplant treatment. The type of HSCT, the pre-transplant regimen, and the age of the recipient can all affect the cost. Pediatric HSCT tends to be more expensive than that of adults. This is likely due to precautions that need to be taken and longer hospital stays. The cost to the transplant recipient can vary, depending on what insurance pays for and the expected copays and patient responsibility. A patient financial adviser at the hospital, or with your insurance carrier, can help explain the individual financial costs and what is and isn’t covered with your specific insurance.

Outlook

Life expectancy for people getting HSCT has improved over the last few decades, but it’s still lower than that of the general population, according to a 2021 study. More research needs to be done to help understand subsequent infections, second cancers, heart and lung disease, and complications from the pre-transplant treatment.

Takeaway

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment option for various types of cancers and some noncancerous diseases. HSCT involves taking healthy stem cells from bone marrow or peripheral blood, filtering them, and infusing those stem cells into the body. A pre-transplant routine is needed to condition the cells and body. The routine typically involves high dose chemotherapy or radiation. There are possible risks and side effects for people getting stem cells from a donor, but research continues to learn more about these risks to improve people’s outcomes. Last medically reviewed on October 5, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bhatia S, et al. (2021). Trends in late mortality and life expectancy after allogeneic blood marrow transplantation over 4 decades: A blood or bone marrow transplant survivor study report.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2783594Broder MS, et al. (2017). The cost of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in the United States.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5726064/Follow-up care after your transplant. (n.d.).
mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/cancer-treatments/blood-bone-marrow-stem-cell-transplants/follow-careGetting a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. (2020).
cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/process.htmlHematopoietic stem cell. (n.d.).
cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/hematopoietic-stem-cellHow stem cell and bone marrow transplants are used to treat cancer. (2020).
cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/why-stem-cell-transplants-are-used.htmlKhaddour K, et al. (2022). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536951/Stem cell transplantation. (n.d.).
lls.org/treatment/types-treatment/stem-cell-transplantationOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 5, 2022 By Jaime R. Herndon, MS, MPH, MFA Edited By Mike Hoskins Medically Reviewed By Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP Copy Edited By Sara Giusti Share this articleMedically reviewed by Julie Scott, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP — By Jaime Herndon, MS, MPH, MFA on October 5, 2022

Read this next

Facial Presentation in People with Beta-Thalassemia Major Beta-thalassemia causes symptoms related to anemia, including weak or brittle bones, and leads to problems with how your bones develop.READ MOREWhat Is a D-Dimer Test? A D-dimer test can help diagnose blood clotting conditions. Doctors perform it through a simple blood draw, and it’s a great first step in the…READ MOREWhat is a TIPS Procedure on the Liver? A TIPS procedure can reduce portal hypertension without requiring significant, open surgery.READ MOREEvans Syndrome: What You Should Know About This Rare Blood Disorder Evans syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that involves multiple underlying blood conditions. There is no cure, but treatment focuses on addressing…READ MOREHow to Increase Your Red Blood Cell Count Has a doctor advised you to increase your red blood cell count? These supplements and lifestyle changes may help.READ MOREAshton Kutcher Recovered from Vasculitis— What to Know About Rare Autoimmune Disease Experts say the blood vessel disease that Ashton Kutcher has is rare, but vasculitis can be quite serious or even fatal if not treated properlyREAD MOREDrinking Blood: Is It Safe?Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH Drinking blood (animal or human) is haute cuisine in vampire fiction. But in real life, it can have severe consequences. Learn more about the risks.READ MOREUnderstanding Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia (Glanzmann’s Disease)Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (Glanzmann’s disease) is a rare condition in which your blood doesn’t clot properly. Learn about symptoms, outlook, and…READ MOREWhat Does It Mean If Your Monocyte Levels Are High?Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. Monocytes, along with other types of white blood cells, are a vital part of your immune system. What does it mean if your monocyte level is high?READ MORE*clone Market VIP* The 11 Best Mattresses for Lower Back Pain in 2022Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT These 11 picks are some of the best mattresses for lower back pain. Offering medium-firm support, they’ll help keep you aligned and rested.READ MORE