UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

At the University of Chicago Medicine, our transplant team works side-by-side with the patient, family and referring physician before, during and after transplantation to ensure the best possible outcome. The transplant process differs from patient to patient, but generally includes:

  • Evaluation and pre-transplant testing
  • Identification of the appropriate type of transplantation — autologous (from the patient), syngeneic (from an identical twin), or allogeneic (from a related, unrelated or cord blood donor).
  • Obtaining stem cells from the patient or a donor
  • Blood stem cells are taken through a painless process called apheresis. Blood is taken from a vein and circulated through a machine that removes the stem cells and returns remaining blood and plasma back to the patient.
  • Bone marrow stem cells are harvested from the donor in an operating room. Stem cells are collected through a needle placed in the soft center — or marrow — of the bone. The donor may feel some pain after this procedure.
  • Conditioning treatment — administration of chemotherapy and/or radiation to the patient in order to destroy all of the diseased cells in the body and to create space in the bone marrow for the transplanted stem cells to populate.
  • Infusion of healthy stem cells into the patient — a painless process in which stem cells are transplanted into the patient through intravenous (IV) infusion. Side effects from this procedure are rare.
  • Engraftment and recovery — transplanted stem cells begin to grow and reproduce healthy blood cells. For bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant, engraftment takes between two and three weeks; for cord blood transplant, the process takes three to five weeks. Most patients stay in the hospital during this period to be protected from infection and monitored for side effects, though select patients may be candidates for outpatient stem cell transplant.
  • Post-transplant care — including regular examinations to monitor allogeneic transplant patients for signs of graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and to watch autologous and allogeneic patients for immune system recovery, complications related to chemotherapy or radiation and cancer recurrence (relapse).
  • Coordination of continuing care with the patient's referring physician.

A Family-Centered Stem Cell Transplant Unit

Most patients undergoing stem cell transplantation are cared for in our dedicated unit for approximately one week before and two to three weeks after the procedure. Select patients may receive outpatient stem cell transplant care in specially designed treatment rooms within the unit. The same physicians and nurses who provide inpatient care provide outpatient care.

The stem cell transplant unit is located on the top floor of the Center for Care and Discovery and features state-of-the-art technology and thoughtful amenities:

  • HEPA-filtered rooms, giving patients optimal protection against infection as well as freedom of movement.
  • Patient rooms spacious enough to accommodate family members for extended stays. Features include foldout sofas, flat screen TVs and beautiful views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan and the University of Chicago campus.
  • Exercise rooms to help patients stay active and regain strength during hospitalization.

Clinical Trials

Our stem cell transplant physicians are members of the nationally renowned UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only two National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Chicago. It is through the Cancer Center that we participate in clinical trials of emerging therapies. In addition, we are active participants in the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network. Involvement in these vital research organizations gives our patients access to the most novel and exciting treatments available.

State-of-the-Art Stem Cell Laboratory

Stem cell transplant cryopreservation
An on-site cryopreservation laboratory houses frozen stem cells for future use.

Our stem cell transplant program laboratory is specially equipped to handle all of the blood and stem cell preparation necessary for transplant, including apheresis (separation and collection of stem cells from the blood) and cryopreservation (freezing of stem cells for future use).

Leading-edge technologies in the laboratory enable us to perform complex procedures that help improve transplant outcomes. These procedures include purging of cancerous cells and purifying donor stem cells to minimize graft-versus-host disease (a serious side effect related to the use of donor cells for transplant).

 

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient to the stem cell transplant program, please call 773-702-1994.

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

* Indicates required field

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, PhD, and patient in DCAM clinic

Disease-Specific Care for Blood Cancers

Get details about blood cancer diagnosis and treatment at UChicago Medicine.

Wendy Stock, MD, talks with a patient in clinic

Cancer Care Second Opinions

Request a second opinion from UChicago Medicine experts in cancer care.

Image of physician talking to pediatric cancer patient

Pediatric Cellular Therapies

Our pediatric specialists have extensive experience in stem cell transplantation and other cellular therapies for children, adolescents and young adults.