Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant | Loyola Medicine

Why Loyola Largest Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program in Illinois

Loyola's Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation Program is the largest transplant program in Illinois, having performed more than 2,900 transplants to date. Our interdisciplinary team of doctors isdedicated to research and improvement of the transplant process, thereby improving patient outcomes and survival rates. Loyola is proud to be a participating transplant, apheresis and collection center in the National Marrow Donor Program network.

Bone marrow is found in the center cavities of all bones and within the ends of the long bones of your arms and legs. Bone marrow is composed of stem cells that give origin to:

The goal of a bone marrow or peripheral (stem cell) transplant is to replace unhealthy stem cells with healthy stem cells, or to replace bone marrow cells that are damaged while treating cancer with high-dose therapy. The new cells from a transplant will cause the bone marrow to function normally again.

Loyola offers a full spectrum of transplant options and is dedicated to maintaining your physical and mental fitness. Our highly skilled transplant team will answer your medical questions and help you through the process. Care is provided by our experienced, interdisciplinary transplant team, which includes attending physicians, an advanced practice nurse, professional nursing staff, dietitians, social workers, chaplains and a clinical psychologist.

Our program is actively involved in research, providing individuals with an opportunity to participate in a variety of clinical trials, including national breast, lymphoma, leukemia, ovarian, testicular and multiple myeloma studies.

Bone marrow transplant is most commonly used to treat leukemia and lymphoma. However, this treatment option can also be used to treat other cancers such as neuroblastoma and multiple myeloma.

The type of transplant you may have is determined by your diagnosis. There are three types of bone marrow transplants:

A bone marrow/stem cell transplant comprisesthree steps, including preparation, transplant and recovery. To start, your doctors will prepare your body for transplant by using chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate the existing unhealthy cells.

Once the preparation is complete, you will undergo the transplant, which is infused very similarly to a blood transfusion. Following the transplant procedure, you will stay in the hospital while your body begins to produce healthy bone marrow and your doctors ensure that the transplant was successful.

View post:
Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant | Loyola Medicine