Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

About 30 years ago bone marrow transplantation was an experimental procedure carried out as a last resort in terminally ill patients. Nowadays hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become a standard procedure for many severe malignant or non-malignant disorders of the hematopoietic system. It is well known that HSCT is associated with transplant related mortality and morbidity (TRM), the risk of which in allogeneic transplantations can reach 40%; in contrast the risk is less than 5% in autologous transplantation. However; HSCT outcome has been improved significantly over the past decade both in terms of reduced TRM and reduced risk of relapse of the original disease.