An allogeneic stem cell transplant uses healthy blood stem cells from a donor to replace bone marrow that's not producing enough healthy blood cells. An allogeneic stem cell transplant is also called an allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
Bone marrow transplants for adults and children may involve of use of one’s own cells (autologous transplant), cells from a donor (allogeneic transplant) or cells from an umbilical cord (cord blood transplant). The blood stem cells used in an allogeneic stem cell transplant can be:
Before undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant, you'll receive high doses of chemotherapy or radiation to destroy your diseased cells and prepare your body for the donor cells.
An allogeneic stem cell transplant may be an option for people with a variety of cancerous and noncancerous diseases, including:
Undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant involves:
Undergoing high doses of cancer treatment (conditioning). During the conditioning process, you'll receive high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill your cancer cells. What treatment you undergo depends on your disease and your particular situation.
The cancer treatments used during the conditioning process carry a risk of side effects. Talk with your doctor about what you can expect from your treatment.
It takes a few weeks for the donor cells to settle in your bone marrow and begin making new cells. You may receive blood transfusions until your bone marrow recovers.
