Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the transplantation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells, usually derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood. It is a medical procedure in the fields of hematology and oncology, most often performed for patients with certain cancers of the blood or bone marrow, such as multiple myeloma or leukemia. In these cases, the recipient's immune system is usually destroyed with radiation or chemotherapy before the transplantation. Graft-versus-host disease is a major complication of allogenic HSCT.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains a dangerous procedure with many possible complications; it has traditionally been reserved for patients with life-threatening diseases. While occasionally used experimentally in nonmalignant and nonhematologic indications such as severe disabling auto-immune disease and cardiovascular disease, the risk of fatal complications appears too high to gain wider acceptance.
Read more about Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: History, Indications, Sources and Storage of Cells, Engraftment, Complications, Prognosis, Risks To Donor, Donor Registration and Recruitment, Experimental HIV Treatment
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