Procedure for Bone Marrow Transplant
Before the transplant, chemotherapy, radiation, or both may be given. This may be done in 2 ways, Ablative (myeloablative) treatment: High-dose chemotherapy, radiation, or both are given to kill any cancer cells. This also kills all healthy bone marrow that remains, and allows new stem cells to grow in the bone marrow. Reduced intensity treatment, also called a mini transplant: People receive lower doses of chemotherapy and radiation before a transplant. This allows older people, and those with other health problems to have a transplant.