What is blood and marrow transplantation?

Also known as: Blood and or Marrow Transplant, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

The Hematopoietic stem cells are the cells within the bone marrow and in smaller numbers in the blood as well, that produce new blood for the body. The blood cells include Red cells- important for energy, White cells- that protect from infection and platelets that are preventing uncontrolled bleeding.

The transplantation of blood or bone marrow is the procedure of transferring and replacing the hematopoietic stem cells. This procedure is being used for:

  • conditions where there is poor production of blood cells (such as in Aplastic Anemia)
  • conditions where there is a missing enzyme (such as in Hurler disease)
  • the production of sick cells (such in Sickle Cell Disease)
  • or when there is a disease in the bone marrow and blood (such as leukemia)

Reviewed by: Jorge Galvez-Silva, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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