Stem cells produced in the bone marrow become blood cells and also the cells that defend the body against infection and disease. But blood cancers and disorders like leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome, as well as their treatments, can damage these cells. Often, treatment for these cancers and disorders includes a stem cell transplant.

There are two primary types of stem cell transplants. An autologous stem cell transplant uses a patient’s own stem cells to help the patient recover after intense chemotherapy is used to treat the disease. An allogeneic transplant, which uses healthy cells from a donor, is used if the cancer has affected the bone marrow. This animation explains the differences between these types of stem cell transplants and how well-suited stem cell donors are found when a patient needs an allogeneic transplant.

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