A small number of people with CLL may be offered a stem cell transplant to treat their disease.
Stem cells are found inside our bone marrow. They make all the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the blood.
A transplant works by destroying all the blood cells in your bone marrow and replacing them with healthy stem cells via a transfusion into your bloodstream.
Stem cells are blood cells at their earliest stage of development that will grow into new healthy blood cells.
There are two types of stem cell transplant:
- Autologous transplants – uses your own stem cells (also known as high-dose treatment with stem cell support).
- Allogeneic transplants – when you are given stem cells from someone else (a donor).