Bone Marrow Transplantation

Loyola University Health System's (Loyola) Bone Marrow Transplantation Program is the largest in Illinois, having performed more than 1,900 transplants to date. Loyola is a participating transplant, apheresis, and collection center in the National Marrow Donor Program network.

A full spectrum of transplant options are available including autologous bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell, allogeneic related and unrelated bone marrow and allogeneic unrelated umbilical cord blood transplants.

The program is actively involved in research, providing individuals with an opportunity to participate in a variety of clinical trials including national breast, lymphoma, leukemia, ovarian, testicular and multiple myeloma studies.

Bone marrow is located in the center cavities of all bones and within the ends of the long bones of your arms and legs. Bone marrow is composed of the following cells:

Diseases like leukemia or lymphoma can damage bone marrow. Exposure to certain chemicals can kill the stem cells. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can harm normal bone marrow. Sometimes the cause of bone marrow failure is unknown.

The goal of the bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant is to replace the diseased or nonfunctional stem cells with healthy stem cells or to replace bone marrow cells that are damaged while treating a cancer with high dose therapy. These new cells will cause the bone marrow to again function normally.

There are three types of bone marrow transplants:

Allogeneic - This is a transplant of stem cells from one person to another. The donor may be a blood relative or someone not related to you. A donor match is determined by special laboratory tests called HLA typing.

Syngeneic - This transplant uses the bone marrow from an identical twin. Identical twins have identical genetic material; therefore, their HLA type matches perfectly.

Autologous - In this transplant, the patient acts as his or her own donor. Either the bone marrow (taken from the hip bones) or peripheral blood stem cells (taken from a blood vessel) are removed, stored, and given back to the patient at a later date.

The type of transplant you will have is determined by your diagnosis.

Our Team
The transplant team is dedicated to maintaining your physical and mental fitness. Various team members will answer your medical questions, help you through the system, and work with you and your family. Care is provided by Loyola’s experienced multidisciplinary transplant team that includes attending physicians, nurse practitioners, transplant coordinators and case manager, professional nursing staff, dietitians, social workers, chaplains and a clinical psychologist.

Locations and Contacts
A full spectrum of bone marrow transplantation services is available in Maywood at:

Loyola University Hospital
Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center

For more information or to make an appointment with a physician, please call (888) LUHS-888.

Inpatient and outpatient transplant options are available. The 13-bed HEPA-filtered inpatient unit at Loyola University Hospital is equipped and staffed to provide both routine and critical care management. Allogeneic related and unrelated bone marrow and cord blood transplant recipients are cared for on this unit.

The majority of autologous transplants are managed in the outpatient High Dose Therapy Unit. The outpatient unit is located in the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center adjacent to the hospital. It is the first state-of-the-art day hospital in Illinois dedicated exclusively to patients undergoing bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and high dose infusion therapies. The 12-bed HEPA filtered outpatient unit is designed with a "home-like" décor yet equipped for advanced medical monitoring. Each private room has a television, VCR, and stereo with CD player. The outpatient unit also contains an exercise room to promote physical conditioning, kitchen facilities, a lounge, and patient education areas for social interaction, diversion, education, and counseling.

In the outpatient program patients receive 8 to 12 hours of care daily in the outpatient setting and are discharged to their home or local hotel each night under the care of a family member or friend. Outpatient care is provided seven days a week, including holidays. Since the inception of the outpatient program in August of 1997, over 150 autologous transplant patients have received a significant portion of their care in the outpatient setting for an average of 16 days of outpatient care and 4 days of inpatient care during the entire transplant process.

The transplant program is fully integrated with Loyola’s Home Health Program for continuity and follow-up care. The comprehensive home care program provides high-tech home care services 24 hours a day, year round.

Local apartments and hotels with kitchenettes are available for out-of-town patients and their families. A listing is available from the social worker and transplant coordinators.

Related Links
Transplantation Services
BMT Clinical Update Newsletter
Bone Marrow Transplant Brochure (2380K)
High-Dose Therapy Unit
Home Health Program

Program Directors
Patrick J. Stiff, MD, ABIM - Director