A stem cell transplant isn't a treatment on its own. It's given with very high doses of chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy to improve the chances of curing the cancer. It is mainly used for people with certain types of leukaemia or lymphoma. But it can also be used for some other types of cancer like Ewing's sarcoma, ovarian or testicular cancers.
Transplants can be done early on in treatment when the cancer is in remission or if it comes back (relapses) after treatment. A transplant isn't suitable for everyone and your own doctor will let you know if it's an option for you.
Once you've had your high doses of chemo or radiotherapy, you will either have
- your own stem cells back (that were collected earlier on in your treatment). This is called an autograft or autologous transplant.
- stem cells from another person (donor). This is called an allograft or allogeneic transplant.
Strictly speaking, it's called a transplant if you are getting the cells from a donor. If you're getting your own cells back, it's usually called high dose treatment with stem cell support. Healthy cells are taken from you while you're in remission so that they can be given back to you after your high dose treatment.
