On-site Transplant Treatment

MetroHealth’s Blood and Marrow Transplant program provides life-saving transplantation services for patients facing certain types of cancer.

What is stem cell transplantation?

Stem cell transplantation is a process where patients have their healthy hematopoietic—immature blood forming—stem cells extracted from their bone marrow, frozen and stored during cancer treatment, and transplanted back into their marrow. This process prevents chemotherapy and other cancer treatments from damaging these cells so that patients can produce new blood cells after cancer treatment.

In most cases, stem cell transplantation occurs 2-3 weeks after stem cells are collected.

All blood cells start out as immature cells called hematopoietic—or blood forming—stem cells, which can mature into any type of blood cell. These stem cells primarily live in blood marrow at the center of certain bones. They can also be found in the blood stream, particularly after shots of hormone-like substances called growth factors.

Certain cancers or diseases are effectively treated with very high doses of chemotherapy, which can hamper the ability to make new blood cells.

What does this mean for MetroHealth patients?

For patients with certain types of cancer, we can provide transplant services on-site – from collection to transplant. Our team of transplant specialists work closely with your healthcare team to coordinate your treatment, and ensure you have the resources you need for a successful transplant.