Overview
An autologous stem cell transplant is a procedure in which a patient's own stem cells are collected and then re-injected into their body following chemotherapy. The purpose of this procedure is to restore the patient's immune system that had been weakened or destroyed by chemotherapy. Autologous stem cell transplantation is used for the treatment of certain types of cancers, such as leukemia and lymphomas, as well as for certain types of blood diseases, such as aplastic anemia. The autologous stem cells are collected from the patient's own body, so the risk of rejection is eliminated. The cells can be collected from the patient's bone marrow or from peripheral blood. This procedure has revolutionized cancer treatments and has improved the quality of life for many patients.