Autologous Transplant Patient Education Manual - Moores Cancer ...

The term Bone Marrow Transplant refers to those transplants in which stem cells are
removed from the bone marrow. When taken from the bone, it looks just like blood. If the
stem cells are collected from the blood (peripheral blood), the correct term is Peripheral
Blood Stem Cell Transplant. However, you may hear this shortened to stem cell transplant.
You may also hear the term bone marrow transplant used for both types of transplants. Do
not be confused by these differences.
Clarification of terms:
bone marrow transplant = peripheral blood cell transplant = hematopoietic cell transplant =
stem cell transplant = blood cell transplant
The main source for most types of transplants due to improvements in collection and
storage methods are PBSCs.
Blood Cell Functions
Stem Cells, as mentioned above, are located in the bone marrow and make most of our
body’s blood cells. They divide to become new stem cells, RBCs, WBCs or platelets.
WBCs (also called leukocytes) are very important to our immune system. They help the
body fight infections, viruses and other threats. There are many different parts of a
WBC. Each one plays a specific role in destroying these “foreign” bodies. Granulocytes
are part of the WBC that helps fight bacterial infections. Lymphocytes are another part
of the WBC that helps the immune response.
For example, when you catch the flu, there is an increase in the WBCs to help fight the
infection.
RBCs (also called erythrocytes) are cells that contain a protein called hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the cells in your body. A low
RBC count is a condition called anemia. Someone who is anemic may feel weak, dizzy,
short of breath and tired.
Platelets (also called thrombocytes) are cells that help prevent bleeding. When you cut
yourself, platelets help form blood clots to stop the bleeding at the site of the injury. A
low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) increases the risk of bleeding of the gums, nose
and other tissues. Unexplained bruising and petechiae (tiny red spots) can also be
caused by a decrease in platelets. Refer to Complications in section 5 for further detail.
Reasons for a Blood or Marrow Stem Cell Transplant (BM/SCT)
The basic idea behind a BM/SCT is to allow high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation
therapy to kill rapidly dividing cells in the body like cancer cells. However, though these
treatments are among the most effective weapons against many forms of cancer, they cannot
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