Stem Cell Transplantation Program

Glossary

Here are some important terms to know:

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (Allo): This is the infusion of another person’s bone marrow or stem cells after high dose chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (Auto): This is the infusion of a patient’s own bone marrow or stem cells after receiving high dose chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD): This is a rejection process, in which the transplanted bone marrow (the graft) attacks tissues in the recipient (the host). The organs usually affected are the skin, gastrointestinal tract and liver.

HLA Typing: This is the process of identifying the genetic structure of circulating white blood cells. HLA typing, also known as tissue-typing, is performed to determine whether a donor can be found for a bone marrow transplant. Blood is removed from a vein for this test.

Peripheral-Blood Stem Cell Transplant (PBSCT): This is a type of transplant in which circulating stem cells are collected and later infused back into a given patient after very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy have been given.

Stem Cell: This is the building block of bone marrow and blood formation. Stem cells form white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Hematopoetic stem cells are used in stem cell transplants.