Bone Marrow Transplant Program

People who meet certain criteria may be considered for bone marrow transplant. At Mayo Clinic, doctors will consider selected patients over 65 years of age, depending on their overall physical health.

People who need a bone marrow transplant may have any of several serious conditions, including:

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia
• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
• Adrenoleukodystrophy
• Amyloidosis
• Aplastic anemia
• Bone marrow failure syndromes
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Hemoglobinopathies
• Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Immune deficiencies
• Inborn errors of metabolism
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neuroblastoma
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Plasma cell disorders
• POEMS syndrome
• Sickle cell anemia

Your doctor can explain your risk of complications from a bone marrow transplant. Together you can weigh the risks and benefits to decide whether a bone marrow transplant is safe and beneficial for you.

Your treatment team will also discuss whether a bone marrow transplant or an alternative therapy may be the most appropriate treatment option. Your care is tailored to your specific need.

Your care team members will evaluate whether you're a candidate for a bone marrow transplant. They may:

• Review your medical history
• Perform a physical examination
• Conduct blood tests
• Perform imaging tests, such as X-rays
• Conduct tests to check your heart, lungs and other organ functions
• Remove a small sample of bone marrow (biopsy) to evaluate your condition
• Perform other tests to ensure you don't have any other serious conditions
• Order a psychosocial evaluation

The evaluation may take several days or more.

Read about stem cell transplant. Also see a video about how a stem cell transplant works.