Haematopoietic stem cell transplant

What it is

Haematopoietic stem cells are the source of every blood cell. A transplant first clears the diseased marrow and cancer cells with high-dose chemotherapy (conditioning), then infuses stem cells collected earlier — your own (autologous) or a donor's (allogeneic) — to re-establish the marrow.

It takes 2–4 weeks for the new cells to take hold and start producing blood (engraftment); during that time you stay in an isolation room to prevent infection.

Who it suits

A transplant is considered after remission in acute leukaemia with a high risk of relapse, in relapsed or refractory lymphoma, and as part of standard therapy for multiple myeloma. Age, general condition and organ function set the criteria.

An allogeneic transplant needs a donor: a sibling, a haploidentical family member (parent or child), or an unrelated donor, including searches through Korea's donor registry. The review states whether a transplant is feasible and which donor tests are needed.

How it proceeds

In the first week or two after you arrive, staging, organ-function and donor tests are done and a central line is placed. Conditioning takes a week, followed by transplant day and 2–4 weeks in isolation until engraftment.

Family stay near the hospital and are briefed, with an interpreter, on visiting and infection-control rules. After discharge you stay within walking distance of the hospital for several weeks of outpatient visits.

Duration and recovery

A 3–6 week admission and a 6–8 week stay are usual. After an allogeneic transplant, frequent outpatient visits continue to around day 100 to manage graft-versus-host disease and infection, so the opinion sets your return date alongside the handover to your local hospital.

Follow-up continues remotely once you are home, with a three-way video consultation including your local haematologist.

Cost

Costs break down into conditioning chemotherapy, the transplant procedure, isolation-room admission, antibiotics and immunosuppressants, and donor testing and collection. An allogeneic transplant costs more than an autologous one. The estimate itemises each part.

The review fee is credited against your bill when you go ahead with treatment.

In Korea

Haematology departments at Korean tertiary hospitals carry out high volumes of transplants, with established experience in haploidentical transplantation. Treatment is given only at hospitals with isolation rooms and infection-control systems.

Hospital names and results are not listed; the opinion compares three hospitals for you.

Frequently asked questions

What if there is no donor?

The alternatives include a haploidentical transplant from a parent, child or sibling, an unrelated donor search, and cord blood. Which is possible depends on the disease and your age, and is answered at the review stage.

Where does my family stay?

In accommodation within walking distance of the hospital. Isolation visiting rules are strict, so the interpreter explains them, and the concierge looks after the family's meals, transport and wellbeing.

When can I go home?

Often 2–3 weeks after discharge for an autologous transplant, and around day 100 for an allogeneic one. It can be earlier once handover to your local hospital is arranged.

Statistics on this page are official national statistics, not the results of any particular hospital. Outcomes differ by stage and by individual health. Discuss diagnosis and treatment decisions with your physicians.