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Why a stem cell or bone marrow transplant is done

What a stem cell or bone marrow transplant is for

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant is used to treat some cancers, blood conditions or autoimmune disorders.

You might need a transplant as part of your treatment if you have a type of cancer or condition that's caused by problems with your blood cells, such as:

  • acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
  • acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
  • non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Hodgkin lymphoma
  • multiple myeloma
  • sickle cell disease
  • thalassaemia

Having a transplant to replace the unhealthy blood cells in your body with healthy stem cells aims to cure or control your condition.

Page last reviewed: 7 May 2026
Next review due: 7 May 2029