Bone Marrow Transplant Facts
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) has long been recognized as the leader in providing bone marrow transplants for patients who have been diagnosed with lymphoma, leukemia and other life-threatening blood diseases. Bone marrow transplantation is among the greatest success stories in cancer treatment. It has impacted patients worldwide by boosting survival rates from nearly zero to upwards of 85 percent for some blood cancers. One of the Hutchinson Center’s founders, Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, MD, won the Nobel Prize in 1990 for groundbreaking work with bone marrow transplants.
The following links will help you to learn more about bone marrow transplantation.
What is a Bone Marrow Transplant?
Get an overview of transplants, including what happens when marrow malfunctions and how transplants may help fight blood diseases, including cancers, and immune-system diseases.
Types of Transplants
Learn the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplants, and find out about the different kinds of allogeneic transplants.
Diseases Treated
Several cancerous and non-cancerous diseases may be treated with a bone marrow transplant.
The Transplant Process
Walk through the seven steps in getting a bone marrow transplant at SCCA.
Finding or Becoming a Donor
Here’s information about how to find a donor, if you need one, or become a donor for someone who needs a transplant.
About Alternative Donor Transplants
Not too long ago, seeking a suitable donor for a blood or marrow transplant patient was very difficult. Today, thanks to the relentless inventiveness of researchers and physicians, there are plenty of options and suitable matches for nearly all patients in need of a transplant.
Resources
The more you know about your treatment options, the more empowered you’ll feel. This list of reputable sources will help with your research.
Transplant Definitions
Look up medical terms you may hear during your evaluation and treatment at SCCA.
Preparing for Transplant Booklet
Updated for 2011, this resource explains what you need to know before having a bone marrow transplant. Sections are in PDF format for easy printing.