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URL http://www.rockymountainbmt.com/glossary/Stem-Cell-Transplant-101.html

Stem Cell Transplant: also known as non-myeloablative or ÒminiÓ transplants. Lower doses of chemotherapy and possibly radiation are used as the conditioning regimen, followed by the infusion of donor stem cells. In this type of transplant, the purpose is not to replace the patients destroyed marrow cells, as the patientÔs marrow function would return to normal if donor cells were not administered. The conditioning regimen is given to suppress the patient' s marrow function for a short time period allowing the donor cells to engraft . The donor cells are given in order to create a graft-versus-malignancy effect. The term ÒminiÓ transplant, however, is somewhat misleading. Although patients receive less toxic dosages of chemotherapy and radiation, and may feel well early in the post transplant process, they are still at risk to develop serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. These side effects often begin 30-60 days post-transplant when the new immune system is gaining strength.