Types
This type of transplant uses the patient's own stem cells.
What is an autologous transplant.
This first step involves using high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to wipe out diseased bone marrow.
What is conditioning (or myeloablation)
This common complication happens when donor immune cells attack the patient's body.
What is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
Patients must avoid crowds and sick people after a transplant to avoid this.
What is infection.
This year is considered the first successful bone marrow transplant in humans.
1968.
This type of transplant uses stem cells from a donor.
What is an allogeneic transplant.
After conditioning, this is when the patient receives the stem cells through an IV, similar to a blood transfusion.
What is stem cell infusion.
This is the leading cause of death in the first month after transplant.
What is infection.
After a transplant, patients need these shots again because their immune memory is wiped out.
What are vaccinations (or immunizations)
Before humans, scientists practiced bone marrow transplants on these tiny creatures.
What are mice.
This donor type is usually a sibling with a matching HLA profile.
What is a matched related donor.
This step is when the transplanted stem cells travel to the bone marrow and start making new blood cells.
What is engraftment.
This complication occurs when the donor's cells fail to take hold in the recipient's bone marrow.
What is graft failure or rejection.
This is a common symptom during recovery, caused by both treatment and low red blood cell counts.
What is fatigue.
Stem cells can be collected from this part of the body instead of the bone marrow.
What is the bloodstream.
This type of allogeneic transplant uses stem cells from an unrelated but HLA-matched volunteer donor.
What is a matched unrelated donor transplant.
During this phase, patients are at the highest risk for infection due to very low white blood cell counts.
What is the neutropenic phase (post-conditioning)
This risk involves the bone marrow not making enough blood cells after the transplant, leading to prolonged low counts.
What is poor graft function or prolonged cytopenia.
Doctors monitor this blood count to know when the patient's new immune system is working.
What is absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
Stem cells from this source can be frozen at birth for future transplants.
What is umbilical cord blood.
This type of transplant uses a donor who is only a partial HLA match, often a family member.
What is a haploidentical transplant.
After engraftment, the patient's immune system gradually rebuilds itself. This process can take months to years.
What is immune reconstitution.
This late complication increases the risk of developing another cancer years after transplant
What is secondary malignancy.
Long-term survivors must have this type of follow-up care to screen for organ damage, hormone problems, and late effects.
What is survivorship or long-term follow-up care
This procedure can save lives for people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders.
What is a bone marrow transplant.