How a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant Can Be Lifesaving

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Stem cells are unique cells capable of developing into various cell types and play a vital role in blood production and tissue repair. For many blood cancers, immune disorders, and certain inherited conditions, chemotherapy and radiation alone cannot provide a cure. Peripheral blood stem cell transplants (PBSCT) offer a lifesaving option by replacing damaged or destroyed stem cells with healthy ones from the patient or a compatible donor.

This article explores the different types of PBSCT—autologous, allogeneic, and syngeneic—detailing the transplant process, recovery for both patients and donors, and the role of HLA typing in matching donors and recipients. With step-by-step guidance, it also highlights how to join the national bone marrow registry and the impact these transplants have on giving patients a second chance at life.