Stem cell or bone marrow transplants for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

You might have a transplant with high dose chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy. A transplant can also be called stem cell or bone marrow rescue, or intensive treatment.

What is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant?

Stem cells are collected from the bloodstream, or less often from the bone marrow.

A transplant using your own cells for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

This transplant uses your own stem cells to replace blood cells destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and other treatments.

A transplant using a donor's stem cells for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

When you have a stem cell transplant using another person’s stem cells, it is called an allogeneic transplant.

Side effects of a transplant

The side effects of a stem cell or bone marrow transplant include a risk of infection and bleeding and sickness and diarrhoea.

Who can donate stem cells or bone marrow?

To be a donor you need to have stem cells that match the person you are donating to. Find out more.

Last reviewed: 
11 May 2020
Next review due: 
11 May 2023