Bone Marrow Transplants

Haemopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), often referred to as ‘bone marrow transplants’ or ‘blood and marrow transplants’ (BMT), are used to treat a range of both haematological and non-haematological malignancies and other serious blood conditions in adults and children. Indications may include acute and chronic leukaemias, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, solid tumours such as medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma, and other conditions such as aplastic anaemia and immunodeficiencies.

The stem cells may come from bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood. Transplants can be autologous, where the patient’s own stem cells are harvested and then returned after high-dose conditioning chemotherapy, or allogeneic, where the stem cells come from a donor. Allogeneic donors may be related to the patient, such as a sibling or parent, or unrelated. Unrelated donors are sourced from donor registries and cord blood banks worldwide.

To find out about becoming a donor, please visit the ABMDR website.