What happens during a stem cell or bone marrow transplant
The process of having a stem cell or bone marrow transplant can take a long time and there are different stages of treatment.
What happens depends on whether you're using your own stem cells (autologous transplant) or a donor's (allogeneic transplant).
Collecting your stem cells for a transplant
If the stem cells are being taken from your own blood, you'll have a procedure called harvesting to collect healthy stem cells.
You'll have injections for 4 days before the transplant to increase the number of stem cells in your body.
The cells are then collected using a machine that removes your blood, separates out the stem cells, and then puts the blood back into your body.
This process may need to be done again if more cells are needed.
If your stem cells are being taken from your bone marrow, you'll have a procedure where a needle is put into your hip bone and a sample of stem cells is removed.
You'll be asleep while this happens (general anaesthetic), so you will not feel any pain, but it may be sore afterwards.
Preparing your body for the transplant
You'll usually have chemotherapy or radiotherapy before a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. This is called conditioning therapy.
This is done to destroy any unhealthy blood cells, so they can be replaced with healthy stem cells.
Conditioning therapy usually lasts 1 to 10 days, but can be longer. The transplant usually happens the day after your conditioning therapy has finished.
Your stay in hospital
Conditioning therapy can stop your immune system from working properly, so you may be at risk of getting infections.
To reduce this risk, you'll usually be looked after in your own room, away from other people.
You'll spend most of your time in your room with the doors and windows closed.
Any visitors, including your care team, will wear masks, gloves and plastic gowns when they're with you.
During the transplant
When you have the transplant, the stem cells are given to you through a thin tube that was placed either in your chest or upper arm before the transplant.
The cells go directly into your bloodstream, a bit like having a blood transfusion. It's not painful and you will not need a general anaesthetic.
Finding a stem cell donor
If your team cannot use your own stem cells for the transplant, they'll need to use stem cells from a donor.
Donated stem cells need to match yours so there's a better chance of the transplant working. The best match is usually from a brother or sister, or sometimes another close family member.
If there are no matches in your close family, donors can be found through the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry.
The NHS Blood and Transplant website has more information about stem cell and bone marrow donation.