What is an autologous blood or marrow transplant?
An autologous blood or marrow transplant (BMT) or bone marrow transplant uses your own blood-forming cells that are collected, stored and then given back to you after undergoing chemotherapy and possibly radiation. (You might also hear people call BMT a blood stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant.)
After your doctor decides on the best time to collect your cells, they can be frozen for months or years until you need them for your transplant, where they can be used to cure or treat a blood cancer or blood disorder.
How are cells collected for an autologous transplant?
There are two ways your cells could be collected in preparation for an autologous BMT. Your doctor will decide which is best for you.
Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection
- PBSC collection gathers cells from your bloodstream using a process called apheresis. Before your cells are collected, you get shots for a few days to increase the number of blood-forming cells in your bloodstream. During apheresis collection, blood is removed from your vein through an intravenous (IV) line in one arm or a central line, passed through a machine and put back into your bloodstream through a vein in your other arm. The machine takes out the blood-forming cells that will be used for your transplant. Most patients who have an autologous transplant have their cells collected this way.
Bone marrow collection
- Bone marrow collection gathers cells from the pelvic (hip) bone during a procedure that happens in an operating room. You get anesthesia so you don’t feel pain. A doctor uses a special needle to extract the blood-forming cells from your bone marrow.
Questions to ask your doctor about autologous transplants
As you prepare for an autologous transplant, you may want to ask your doctor questions to learn what to expect during the transplant process:
- How will you decide the best time to collect my cells?
- How will you decide the best time for transplant?
- What’s the difference between an autologous and allogeneic blood or marrow transplant?
- Is a haploidentical (half-match) transplant an option for me?
- If my disease comes back (relapses), will I be able to get an allogeneic transplant?
Asking your doctor additional questions about treatment options can help you gain a better understanding of why your doctor may be recommending an autologous transplant.
Questions to ask your health insurance company about autologous transplants
Contact your health insurance company so you know what your policy covers for an autologous BMT. Ask questions like:
Does my policy pay for:
- Lodging and transportation reimbursement?
- My blood stem cell collection?
- An autologous transplant?
- Care in an autologous transplant clinical trial?
Access additional questions to ask your health insurance company about coverage for transplant.
Questions to ask your insurance provider
Understanding insurance and managing costs during the autologous transplant process can feel overwhelming—but there’s help available. NMDPSM patient navigators can help you understand transplant costs.
Get help preparing for an autologous stem cell transplant
Visit NMDP’s Patient Support Center to access resources for you and your loved one, including education and one-on-one emotional support.