Stem cells are immature cells that eventually develop into the various types of mature blood cells: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; platelets, which help the blood clot; and white blood cells, which help fight infection. A stem cell transplant replaces defective or damaged cells in patients whose normal blood cells have been crowded out by cancerous cells. Transplants can also be used to treat hereditary disorders such as sickle cell anemia, or to help patients recover from or better tolerate cancer treatment.

Stem cells for transplant come from the following sources:

Autologous transplant: replacement cells are taken from the patient's own bone marrow before chemotherapy and are then replaced after treatment.

Allogeneic transplant: stem cells come from a donor whose tissue most closely matches the patient. About 75% of patients do not have a suitable donor in their family and require cells from matched unrelated donors (MUD), who are are found through the National Marrow Donor Program.

Umbilical cord blood from newborn infants is extracted from the placenta after birth and saved in special cord blood banks for future use. M. D. Anderson's Cord Blood Bank actively seeks donations of umbilical cords.

Services Provided
The Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Center is a multidisciplinary setting for consultation, evaluation, treatment planning and management of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, including:

• Leukemias (Acute and Chronic)
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome
• Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas
• Multiple Myeloma
• Plasmacytoma
• Solid tumors (breast cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma and others per protocol)
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
• Aplastic anemia
• Other hematologic and autoimmune diseases
• Care and management of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

Initial evaluation, planning, and follow-up care are performed for patients undergoing or considering hematopoietic transplantation. Specialized services include stem cell collection, therapeutic apheresis, and outpatient intravenous infusion and transfusion therapies.

M. D. Anderson Resources

• Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Program
• Pediatric Cell Therapy Program
• Cord Blood Bank
• BMT Solid Tumor Study Program

Stem Cell & Cord Blood Donation (17:51)
What are stem cells and how are they used to treat cancer? Dr. Cooper and Dr. Shpall answer these questions, and bring clarity to the discussion on the availability of stem cells through donated and banked umbilical cord blood. (October 2008)
Download  /  Listen  /  Transcript

Stem Cell Transplants (March 2008)

• Dr. Partow Kebriaei and Her Patient Joceline (3:39)
• Stem Cell Transplants with Dr. Partow Kebriaei (5:17)
• Stem Cell Transplant Survivor Joceline (3:57)

Patient Power: Advances in Stem Cell Transplants (March 2008)
M. D. Anderson is one of the largest centers in the world for stem cell transplants, performing more than 600 procedures for adults and children each year, more than any other center in the nation.
Download  /  Listen  /  Transcript (pdf)

Cancer Newsline: Mini Stem Cell Transplants (Fall 2004)
Researchers at M. D. Anderson have pioneered a strategy called "mini stem cell transplants," which are safer, more effective and lead to higher survival rates than traditional bone marrow transplants.
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Glossary: Learn the difference between "allogeneic", "autologous" and more.

Cancer Survivor Message Board - Share concerns and experiences with other cancer survivors.

Cancer-Fighting Cells in Cord Blood Increased

High-Dose Chemotherapy, Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Shows Little or No Survival Benefit as Adjuvant Therapy for Node-Positive Breast Cancer

Gentler Chemotherapy Before Blood Stem Cell Transplant Causes Long-Term Complete Remission in Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma Patients

Cord Blood Transplant Gives Patient Hope

Q&A: What to Know About Cord Blood Donation

Advances in Stem Cell Transplantation (Español)

Save a Life by Donating Stem Cells

Cord Blood Bank at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Receives $9 Million Grant

More ...

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BMT InfoNet

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link

National Marrow Donor Program

Stem Cell & Bone Marrow Transplants from Cancerbackup

American Cancer Society - Bone Marrow & Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant