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Stem cell transplantation: adult

Published on 07 February 2024

The service offers allogeneic stem cell transplantation to adults. This includes all necessary assessments and follow up. The Adult Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Service is provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GG&C) at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

What is stem cell transplantation?

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a medical procedure to give patients healthy stem cells (precursors of blood cells). The cells replace bone marrow that isn't working, or has been destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation as part of treatment.

In an allogeneic transplant, the patient receives stem cells donated by another person. The stem cell donor may be:

  • a sibling of the patient (sibling transplant)
  • another family member (haplo-identical transplant)
  • an unrelated individual (volunteer unrelated transplant)

Umbilical cord blood transplant is another option. This uses stem cells collected from the umbilical cord after childbirth.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a potential cure for patients with haematological malignancy. This is when a patient has cancers of the blood, bone marrow or lymph nodes. The treatment is also in use for bone marrow failure syndromes.

Access a full list of all adult indications for HSCT from the British Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BSBMT) website.