Bone Marrow Transplant - Children

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Bone Marrow Transplant Facts

What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

When you hear the term “bone marrow transplant,” the cells that are being transplanted are stem cells that are made in the bone marrow. These stem cells are immature blood cells that grow into mature red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets or plasma cells. Stem cells are an essential part of a person’s immune system.

The first bone marrow transplants originated more than 40 years ago at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, a parent institution of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, MD, received a Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking work in this field. Read the full story about Dr. Thomas’ research and recognition.

The purpose of transplantation is to cure otherwise fatal diseases by destroying the patient’s damaged immune system and replacing it with healthy stem cells that will create a new immune system in the body.

Types of Transplants

There are several types of transplants. The difference between the types has to do with the source of the transplanted cells. The type of transplant your child receives depends on his or her situation. Read about the different names you might hear for transplants, the different types of transplants and the different sources of transplanted cells.

Diseases Treated with a Transplant

Transplantation has been used to treat many conditions, including:

Our Patients Are Survivors

As a result of our doctors’ expertise as pioneers in the field:

  • Our transplant results are exceptional.
  • We treat high-risk patients.
  • We offer the latest therapies.
  • We have a unique long-term follow-up program.

Survival rates for children 100 days after their transplant was 97.8 percent in 2006, improved from 95 percent in 2005 and 85 percent in 2004. Survival rates for children one year after their transplant are equally encouraging, going from 75 percent in 2004 up to 82 percent in 2005. Experience and research are improving transplant survival rates steadily year after year.

Specific Program Information

You want the best for your child, and so do we. At SCCA, your child will receive excellent, world-class medical care in an environment designed to support your child and your entire family.

Read more about these topics:

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Names and Types of Transplants

There are several different names for transplants and different types of transplants, based on the source of the cells being transplanted.

Definitions

A list of common terms you might hear during the bone marrow transplant process.