Bone marrow and stem cell transplants for Hodgkin's lymphoma

Men and women discussing Hodgkin's lymphoma

This page tells you about bone marrow and stem cell transplants for Hodgkin's lymphoma. There is information about

A quick guide to what's on this page
When transplants are used for Hodgkin's lymphoma
What bone marrow and stem cell transplants are
More information

Bone marrow and stem cell transplants for Hodgkin’s lymphoma

If Hodgkin’s lymphoma comes back after treatment your doctor may suggest a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. This is high dose chemotherapy, and sometimes total body radiotherapy, followed by a drip of stem cells or bone marrow. This intensive treatment can get rid of the lymphoma again for many people. Your doctor may also suggest this treatment if your Hodgkin’s lymphoma does not respond to standard treatment.

About bone marrow or stem cell transplants

Stem cells are the cells in our bone marrow that produce blood cells. After high dose chemotherapy the stem cells are destroyed. So you need to have a drip of stem cells or bone marrow into your bloodstream to replace them. The stem cells go from the bloodstream and into the bone marrow. They then start to make blood cells again.

Most people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have their own marrow or stem cells given back after the high dose treatment. This is called an autologous transplant. It is possible to have a transplant of someone else’s bone marrow or stem cells (an allogeneic transplant). Most often you have the bone marrow or stem cells of a close relative because they are more likely to closely match your own. Doctors are still learning how best to use allogeneic transplants for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In the about cancer treatment section of CancerHelp UK, there is detailed information about bone marrow and stem cell transplants.

CR PDF Icon You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating Hodgkin's lymphoma section.

Some people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have treatment with very high dose chemotherapy and sometimes total body radiotherapy (TBI) as well. This intensive treatment is usually used if Hodgkin's lymphoma comes back after initial treatment. It can get rid of the lymphoma again for many people. Your doctor may also suggest this treatment if your Hodgkin’s lymphoma has not responded to the standard treatment.

Bone marrow and stem cell transplants are techniques used to replace the stem cells that are killed off by intensive treatment with high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Stem cells are the cells in our bone marrow that produce blood cells. After high dose chemotherapy the stem cells are destroyed. So you need to have a drip of stem cells or bone marrow into your bloodstream to replace them. The stem cells go from the bloodstream and into the bone marrow. They then start to make blood cells again. These treatments are sometimes called bone marrow or stem cell rescue because the bone marrow or stem cells 'rescue' you from the effects of your cancer treatment.

Most people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have their own marrow or stem cells given back after the high dose treatment. This is called an autologous transplant or high dose therapy.

It is possible to have a transplant of someone else’s bone marrow or stem cells (an allogeneic transplant). Most often you have the bone marrow or stem cells of a close relative because they are more likely to closely match your own. And so your body is less likely to ‘reject’ the new cells. This type of transplant has many side effects and risks, and you have to be fit and well enough to have it. Your doctor might consider it in the following situations