Autologous Stem Cell Transplants

For an autologous stem cell transplant, we remove and store your own stem cells. We return those cells after you complete other treatment, such as high-dose chemotherapy or radiation. The transplant helps restore your body’s ability to make normal, blood-forming stem cells.

Conditions possibly requiring an autologous stem cell transplant

Autologous transplants are used to treat:

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemia
• Testicular cancer

Advantages and disadvantages of autologous stem cell transplants

Benefits and risks of autologous stem cell transplants include:

• Your body readily accepts the cells: There is no risk of rejection when the stem cells are your own. You also are not at risk for graft-versus-host disease. GVHD occurs when donor immune cells perceive your body as foreign and try to destroy healthy cells.
• Your cells could still have cancer: Lingering cancer cells may be mixed in with the collected stem cells that are given back to you during the transplant.
• Your body may not recognize cancer cells: Your immune system remains the same. That means cancerous cells could start growing again, since they already demonstrated their ability to thwart your defenses.