Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplant)

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Appointment New Patient Appointment or 214-645-4673

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Recognized as one of the leading programs of its kind, UT Southwestern's hematologic malignancies team has performed approximately 2,500 bone marrow transplants (also known as stem cell transplants) while achieving some of the strongest survival rates for patients in the region.

Our highly specialized program is part of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in North Texas.

What is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant is a procedure that replaces unhealthy bone marrow – the tissue inside bones that produces blood-forming cells ­– with healthy cells that should restore normal blood cell production.

Bone marrow transplants are used to treat people with:

  • Cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes
  • Other blood and immune disorders

What Are the Types of Bone Marrow Transplant?

There are two main types of bone marrow transplants: autologous, which use the patient’s own stem cells, and allogeneic, which rely on stem cells from a donor. Doctors consider several factors to determine the best transplant option for patients.

Autologous Transplants

A person might receive an autologous transplant if their cancer is particularly sensitive to high-dose chemotherapy or radiation or if no suitable donor is available. It’s often chosen for conditions such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma , and it can be a good option for older patients who might not tolerate the risks associated with donor transplants.

With autologous transplants:

  • Patients use their own stem cells, so there’s no need to find a match
  • There's almost no chance of graft-versus-host disease, where the transplanted cells attack the recipient's tissues
  • Immune function often returns more quickly, reducing the risk of severe infections
  • Serious complications are less common, allowing some patients to handle treatment better

Autologous transplants pose a risk of reintroducing cancer cells if the harvested stem cells contain traces of the disease. They also don't provide the extra immune boost from donor cells that can attack any remaining cancer. As a result, relapse rates can be higher than with allogeneic transplants.

Allogeneic Transplants

A person might receive an allogeneic transplant when their cancer (often leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome) requires not only high-dose chemotherapy but also the donor’s immune cells to help destroy lingering cancer. Common donor sources include a matched sibling, an unrelated volunteer found through a registry, or umbilical cord blood.

With allogeneic transplants:

  • Donor immune cells can actively fight any remaining cancer cells, called the graft-versus-cancer effect
  • Certain leukemias and related disorders have better long-term control because of this immune response
  • There’s less chance of reintroducing cancer back into the body
  • Related, unrelated, and cord blood donors offer multiple avenues to find a suitable match

Allogeneic transplants carry higher risks than autologous transplants, including graft-versus-host disease. Immune recovery can be slower, increasing the risk of severe infections. Treatment-related mortality is also higher, reflecting the complexity of matching, transplant procedures, and long-term care.

BMT (Stem Cell) Research Lab

Why Choose UT Southwestern for a Bone Marrow Transplant?

Established in 1998, UT Southwestern’s Bone Marrow Transplant Program is among the most established in the region. For patients and families, this means proven treatment protocols, stable care teams, and well-coordinated treatment pathways.

Our program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, which recognizes top-quality patient care. We have also been deemed a national center of excellence by all major national health insurance carriers.

Our experienced physicians, nurses, and other care providers guide patients through every step of the bone marrow transplant process. We strive to deliver the most appropriate and effective care possible, and we’re here to manage care from diagnosis to personalized treatment and beyond.

Innovative Services

Our unique approach to transplant care includes:

  • CAR T-cell therapy: We use a patient’s own modified immune cells to find and destroy blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, offering new hope when other treatments fall short.
  • Specially trained team: Our physicians, nurses, coordinators, pharmacists, and support staff have deep experience caring for patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders.
  • Advanced technology for donor matching: Our Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (HLA) Laboratory uses leading-edge technology to determine the best donor match, helping improve outcomes in a way that many centers cannot match.
  • A rare option for safer radiation: Patients in our program have the option for total marrow irradiation (TMI), a highly specialized treatment that targets diseased bone marrow while protecting healthy tissue.
  • Clinical trials access: UT Southwestern researchers, including Yasin Madanat, M.D., lead groundbreaking studies that give patients early access to promising therapies for blood cancers.
  • Broad bone marrow transplant experience: We have expertise in both autologous and allogeneic transplants and offer outpatient options for autologous procedures.
  • Support services: Rehabilitation services, integrative therapies, and nutrition counseling help patients and families through bone marrow transplantation, cellular therapies, and beyond.
  • Survivorship program: Led by Vivian Irizarry, M.D., our adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivorship clinic provides ongoing care and support for patients after transplant.

At UT Southwestern, we perform bone marrow transplants and cellular therapies for patients ranging in age from early adulthood to their 70s. We also offer a dedicated pediatric bone marrow transplant program providing specialized care for younger patients.

Learn more about bone marrow transplants at UT Southwestern.

Compassionate Care Throughout the Journey

We provide excellent, compassionate care for patients with all types of blood cancers. From a personalized patient experience to cutting-edge treatments, discover what sets us apart.

Helping Dad beat leukemia: Jon and Chuck’s story

Chuck was the first person in the U.S. to receive a new transplant technique at Simmons Cancer Center to treat his acute myeloid leukemia — thanks to his son Jon donating stem cells.