Transplants in
Cancer Treatment
Bone marrow and stem cell transplants, also called BMT and SCT, are sometimes part of treatment used against blood cancers including multiple myeloma, lymphoma (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin), and leukemia.
Below, find answers to popular bone marrow transplant and stem cell transplant questions and experiences shared by The Patient Story community.
General Transplant FAQ
Why Are Stem Cell Transplants Needed?
Though chemotherapy and radiation therapy are effective in killing cancer cells, these treatments also kill the bone marrow cells. This loss of bone marrow cells leads to the inability of the body to create new blood cells. Stem cell transplants are used to enable the patient to create new blood cells again.
What Sources Are Used for Stem Cell Transplants?
Stem cell transplants can be carried out from peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood from newborns, or bone marrow.
Transplant Stories and Experiences
Here are different bone marrow transplant and stem cell transplant stories and experiences, as told by our TPS community members.
Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Experiences
Danielle D., Stage 1 Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis: Stage 1 Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma Symptoms: NoneTreatment: Chemo, ABVD, Immunotherapy, Nivolumab, Brentuximab, Bone Marrow Transplant...
Renée F.
Symptoms: Bruising
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, allogeneic bone marrow transplant
...
Samantha S., Relapsed Hodgkin’s
Symptoms: Fatigue, cough, enlarged lymph node
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (later changed to AVD), Brentuximab, Cyclophosphamide, BEAM chemotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplant
...
Manda M., Relapsed Hodgkin’s, Stage 2B
Symptoms: Loss of menstrual cycles, iron deficiency, itching, night sweats, tiredness, night terrors, trouble breathing, difficulty concentrating, enlarged lymph nodes
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy, radiation, ICE chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...
Shari B., Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4
1st Symptoms: None, lymphoma discovered at unrelated doctor appointment
Treatment: 6 cycles R-CHOP, 5 cycles Phase 3 trial of Velcade + Rituxan (normally for multiple myeloma), allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT)
...
Mary Clare B., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Cancer details: Relapsed but in remission after 2nd transplant
1st symptoms: Extreme fatigue, upset stomach, bad & persistent headaches
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, 2 bone marrow transplants
...
Nicole T., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
1st symptoms: Severe itchiness, night sweats, fatigue
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...
Hayley A., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), M5
Cancer details: Most common type of acute leukemia in adults
1st symptoms: Severe fatigue and excessive bleeding after oral surgery
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...
Christine M., Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
1st symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes, pain in abdomen, nausea
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...
Tylere P., Hodgkin, Stage 3
Cancer details: Mother is a nurse practitioner; suspected cancer
1st Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes in neck
Treatment: Clinical trial; Chemotherapy, BMT
...
Fabiola L., Hodgkin's, Stage 2BX
Cancer details: Stage 2 with bulky disease, relapsed after 1st chemo. Remission after 2nd chemo & bone marrow transplant
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue
Treatment: ABVD chemo (6 cycles), IGEV chemo, bone marrow transplant, BEAM chemo, brentuximab
...
Stem Cell Transplant Patient Experiences
Chelsey G., Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer Diagnosis: Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer Symptoms: Fatigue, itchy legs and feet, swollen lymph node at the base of the neck, vertigo, shortness of breath, weight loss Treatment: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant...
Julie C.
Symptoms: Queasiness, food aversions, lack of appetite, fatigue
Treatment: Stem cell transplant, chemotherapy (D+PD), bispecific antibodies (talquetamab & cevostamab)
...
Emmanuel S., Relapsed Hodgkin’s
Symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes
Treatments: Chemotherapy: ABVD, ICE; autologous stem cell transplant; Targeted therapy: Brentuximab
...
Robyn S., Stage 2E Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes
Treatments: Chemotherapy: R-CHOP, R-ICE, intrathecal, BEAM; autologous stem cell transplant, head and neck radiation, CAR T-cell therapy
...
Renata R., B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+ALL)
1st symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, fevers, night sweats
Treatment: Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, TKI, stem cell transplant (tentative)
...
Ray H.
1st signs: Hemorrhoids, low red blood cell count
Treatment: Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy, Stem Cell Transplant
...
Scott C.
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, relapsed/refractorySubtype: IgG lambda (majorityof myelomas)
1st Symptoms: Pain in hips and ribs, night sweats, weight loss, nausea
Treatment: Clinical trial, chemo, kyphoplasty, stem cell transplant
...
Melissa V.
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, stage 3
1st Symptoms: Frequent infections
Treatment: IVF treatment & Chemotherapy (RVD) for 7 rounds
...
Clay D.
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma
1st Symptoms: Persistent kidney issues, nausea
Treatment: chemo, radiation, stem cell transplant
...
Mary Clare B., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Cancer details: Relapsed but in remission after 2nd transplant
1st symptoms: Extreme fatigue, upset stomach, bad & persistent headaches
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, 2 bone marrow transplants
...
Casey H., Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
1st symptoms: Lump on throat, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, bruising easily
Treatment: Chemo, immunotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplant
...
Kayla T., Hodgkin's, Stage 3A
Cancer details: Possibly misdiagnosed the first time; later diagnosed as grey zone lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Pulled muscle in chest
Treatment: ABVD chemo, radiation, high-dose chemo, stem cell transplant
...
Lauren C., Hodgkin's, Stage 2A
Cancer details: Diagnosed at 23 years old with nodular sclerosis, relapsed after 6 months of 1st-line treatment
1st Symptoms: Itchy body, enlarged lymph node over collar bone
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy and ICE, radiation, and stem cell transplant for relapse
...