Preparing For Transplant

What To Expect Prior to Transplant

The preparatory regimen or conditioning therapy is the process of destroying the bone marrow cells suppresses the immune system, preventing the patient's body from rejecting the transplanted stem cells. Following laboratory and diagnostic tests and stem cells have been obtained (for an autologous transplant) or a donor has been selected and tested (for an allogeneic transplant), we begin chemotherapy and possibly radiation, which takes place in the hospital and seven to ten days to complete. Learn More.

Day of Transplant

The transplant will be given after your child has finished chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. During the transplant, the stem cells that have been collected will be given to your child. The transplant itself is similar to a blood transfusion and given through IV tubing connected to your child's central venous catheter. The transplant takes about an hour or less. The day of your child's transplant is called day zero. Learn More.