How Is a Stem Cell Transplant Done?

There is a two-part process in how a stem cell transplant is done:

Stem cells can be removed from your own body or from a donor.
The stem cells are then transplanted through a central line that is given to the patient. Once the stem cells are injected into the body, they travel to the bone marrow where they will hopefully produce new, healthy stem cells.

Stem cell transplants help to save lives in a number of different ways and are used as treatments for a variety of conditions.

How Stem Cells Are Collected

There are a few processes for collecting stem cells. One commonly used process is a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant:

The donor of stem cells will begin to receive medicine, called Neupogen, a few days before he is going to donate.
The Neupogen will prompt the stems cells to begin circulating through the blood stream like regular cells.
The donor's blood is taken using a catheter, the stem cells are removed from it, and the donor's blood is then returned. This process is referred to as apheresis.

Types of Stem Cell Transplants

There are two types of stem cell transplants and you need to understand both to find out how a stem cell transplant is done. The type of transplant you receive will depend on the source of the healthy stem cells - if the transplanted cells are coming from you or if they are coming from a donor.

The two types of stem cell transplants include:

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant: This is the type of stem cell transplant that is performed when healthy stem cells are taken from your own body and placed back through a central line to travel to your bone marrow and produce more healthy stem cells.
Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant: This is the type of stem cell transplant that is performed when healthy stem cells are harvested from a donor and placed into the body through a central line to travel to your own bone marrow.

Why Stem Cell Transplants Are Performed

Now that you know how a stem cell transplant is done, you might also want to know why transplants are performed:

Stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, are performed if your bone marrow stops producing healthy stem cells on its own.
The transplant is performed in the hopes that the body will accept the transplant and that it will once again provoke the bone marrow to produce healthy stem cells.
A successful stem cell transplant can help the body to produce healthy white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets, and reduce the risk of life threatening infections, uncontrollable bleeding, and anemia.

Side Effects of Stem Cell Transplants

If you are scheduled to receive a stem cell transplant, you should be aware that there are possible side effects to the treatment. Bone marrow or red blood cell stem transplants are typically done through samples which have been harvested and then frozen.

To keep the cells healthy during the freezing process, a preservative is added. The side effects to the body from the preservative can be any of the following:

Nausea
Fever
Chills
Hives

What to Expect After the Transplant

What you should expect to happen after the transplant often depends on your doctor. Some patients remain in the hospital until their blood counts return to normal. Other patients are permitted to go home to recover. Either way you should expect to be monitored carefully by medical staff until your blood counts have returned to their normal levels.