Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

This chapter provides a brief overview of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including the types of transplants, key procedural elements, donor sources, disease indications, and potential complications. There are three major forms of HSCT performed clinically: namely autologous transplantation, in which a patient serves as a self-donor; syngeneic transplantation, where the donor is a genetically identical twin; and allogeneic transplantation from another person. The chapter summarizes the current disease indications for autologous and allogeneic transplants based on data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). Leukemia and myeloid malignancies are the most common indications for allogeneic transplants, namely, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative disorders (MPN). Hematopoietic transplantation is a definitive modality of treatment for a broad range of hematologic, immune, metabolic, and malignant diseases.