UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

About Stem Cell Transplantion

Wendy Stock, MD, hematologic oncologist
Wendy Stock, MD, is also an expert leukemia care and stem cell transplantation.

The term “stem cell transplant" is a newer and more accurate description of the cellular therapy also known as bone marrow transplant (BMT). Stem cells found in the blood and bone marrow are immature cells that develop into red and white blood cells, platelets and additional stem cells (they are not the same as embryonic stem cells). Stem cell transplants involve harvesting stem cells from the bone marrow or the blood of a patient or donor. These healthy stem cells are then transfused into the patient after their unhealthy bone marrow has been destroyed or eliminated by chemotherapy or radiation.

Types of Stem Cell Transplants

We offer the full range of stem cell transplants currently available, including haplo-cord transplant, a novel approach to transplantation pioneered at UChicago Medicine. Using a combination of half-match stem cells from a related donor and cord blood stem cells, haplo-cord transplant opens the option of transplantation to nearly all patients for whom the procedure was previously not available.

Transplants types are categorized by the source of the donor:

Autologous transplants: Patients receive their own stem cells.

Syngeneic transplants: Patients receive stem cells from an identical twin.

Allogeneic transplants: Patients receive stem cells from a person other than an identical twin. Allogeneic transplants include:

  • Related donor transplants: Patients receive donated stem cells from a sibling, parent or other matched blood relative.
  • Alternative donor transplants:
  • Unrelated donor transplants: Stem cells come from a matched donor who has been identified through the National Marrow Donor Program.
  • Haplo-cord transplants: This involves a combination of donated cord blood stem cells and half-matched (haploidentical) cells from a related donor.
  • Cord blood transplants: Stem cells are retrieved from donated umbilical cord blood.

Request an Appointment

The information you provide will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment with the stem cell transplant program. 

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-855-702-8222. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient to the stem cell transplant program, please call 773-702-1994.

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, PhD, and patient in DCAM clinic

Disease-Specific Care for Blood Cancers

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Pediatric Cellular Therapies

Our pediatric specialists have extensive experience in stem cell transplantation and other cellular therapies for children, adolescents and young adults.