Stem Cell Transplant Program

Bone marrow is a type of tissue that makes blood cells. Stem cell transplant helps when bone marrow has been damaged by disease or by cancer treatments. 

Stem cell transplant is a treatment for several conditions, including leukemia and other cancers as well as congenital conditions. It can be an option for children who: 

• Have cancers that are resistant to treatment or have spread (metastasized) throughout the body 
• Need an enzyme their body cannot produce
• Have bone marrow cells that have failed

At Riley at IU Health, we offer many types of bone marrow transplant, including:

• Autologous. For this type of transplant the patient’s own stem cells are used, with cells collected and then placed back into the body.
• Allogeneic. For this type of transplant the stem cells of another person are used. The donor can be a relative or a nonrelative whose blood cells are a close match. The stem cells can come from peripheral (circulating) blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.

Stem cell transplant can be a lifesaving treatment in some cases. Our expert team works with your family through every step of the process to ensure that your child receives the best possible care.

Our highly experienced team includes stem cell transplant doctors, nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, coordinators and nurses who work closely with families. We offer a number of reasons why doctors refer families to Riley at IU Health for their child’s stem cell transplant:

• Patient care. Cancer care is one of 10 specialties for which Riley at IU Health has been recognized by U.S.News & World Report. Our Stem Cell Transplant Program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), which ensures that we meet the highest standards in patient care and laboratory practices. Riley at IU Health has also been named a Blue Distinction Center for transplants by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. This award is for programs that emphasize best practice care and achieve excellent outcomes. Our comprehensive care begins with a full evaluation to determine the right treatment plan for your child. The transplant process includes a hospital stay of several weeks as well as regular follow-up visits to our outpatient clinic.
• Research. Our program is part of the Hematology/Oncology Section of the Department of Pediatrics within the Indiana University School of Medicine, where our doctors hold faculty positions. In addition to providing excellent clinical care, our physicians conduct research in a variety of areas to find ways to make stem cell transplants safer and more effective.
• Training. We also help educate the next generation of specialists through our Hematology/Oncology Fellowship. This three-year program trains doctors to become excellent clinical providers, academic investigators and teachers in the field of pediatric hematology/oncology.