Cancer & Transplant Guide: Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Treatment

Overview: Cancer & Transplants

Some cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, may require a bone marrow or stem cell transplant as part of treatment. These conditions affect the blood and immune system and often require replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells so the body can rebuild a functioning blood and immune system.

Cancers Commonly Treated With Transplant

• Acute and chronic leukemia (AML, ALL, CML, CLL)
• Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
• Some pediatric cancers and rare blood disorders

Types of Transplants

Treatment Process

• Evaluation, testing, and donor matching
• Conditioning with chemotherapy or radiation
• Stem cell infusion (the transplant itself)
• Engraftment and protected hospital recovery
• Long-term outpatient follow-up

Recovery & Long-Term Care

• Hospital stay followed by close outpatient monitoring
• Medications to prevent infection and graft-versus-host disease
• Regular blood tests and follow-up appointments
• Gradual return to normal activities over months

Common Side Effects

• Fatigue and low blood counts
• Increased infection risk during recovery
• Graft-versus-host disease (allogeneic transplants)
• Nausea, mouth sores, and appetite changes

Support Resources

• Hospital social workers and case managers
• Patient and caregiver support groups
• Financial assistance and disability programs
• National organizations like Be The Match and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Next Steps

Read the full bone marrow and stem cell transplant guide for waitlist details, donor matching, and recovery expectations.

Explore All Transplant Guides

Browse waitlist, cost, and recovery details for every transplant type we cover.