The Upper Midwest’s First Bone Marrow Transplant Program
Blood and bone marrow transplants are a common treatment for patients with blood cancer. Patients may need a transplant if they have certain blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or other diseases.
We’re proud to bring this treatment option to our patients in North Dakota. The Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center is the first and only location in the state to offer a bone marrow transplant program.
Partner with our team of specialists in Fargo, North Dakota, to get compassionate care, close to home.
To speak to a referral specialist, call (701) 234-2439 or fax (701) 234-2343.
Types of Bone Marrow Transplants
Bone marrow transplants help patients whose stem cells have been damaged by disease or high doses of chemotherapy. The treatment replaces damaged or unhealthy cells with healthy ones.
There are two types of bone marrow transplants:
- Autologous transplants. Healthy cells are taken from the patient’s own bone marrow for transplant after chemotherapy.
- Allogeneic transplants. Healthy cells are taken from a donor’s bone marrow for a transplant.
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of cellular therapy. For this treatment, patients receive T-cells (white blood cells) that have been genetically modified to identify and destroy cancer cells.
The Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center currently offers autologous transplants. Allogeneic transplants will be offered in late 2022, and CAR T-cell therapy will be available in 2023.
Autologous Transplants
Autologous transplants can replace diseased or damaged bone marrow cells with new stem cells. This treatment is often helpful for patients receiving high doses of chemotherapy. Before undergoing chemotherapy, their healthy stem cells are harvested to be transplanted back later.
An autologous transplant involves these steps:
- Stem cell mobilization. Injecting medications that will cause stem cells to move from the bone marrow to the blood for easier collection.
- Stem cell collection. Stem cells are harvested from the blood through a process called apheresis and frozen for later use.
- Conditioning. Patients undergo chemotherapy to destroy the remaining cells and make room in the bone marrow for the transplanted cells to grow.
- Reinfusion. Autologous transplants don’t include surgery. Instead, patients receive a reinfusion of their own stem cells through a central line or intravenous catheter.
- Survivorship. The care team provides follow-up care to monitor for long-term side effects and treatment success.
Allogeneic Transplants
If your bone marrow is no longer producing enough healthy cells, you may need an allogeneic transplant. During this process, stem cells will be collected from a donor and infused into your bloodstream. The stem cell donor could be your family member, a friend or someone you don’t know.
An allogeneic transplant involves these steps:
- Donor cell collection. Stem cells can be collected from a donor’s blood, removed from their hipbone or from a donated umbilical cord.
- Stem cell processing. The stem cells are separated from the donor’s blood and processed.
- Conditioning. Patients who need allogeneic transplants will undergo chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. This treatment destroys any remaining cancer cells, makes room in your bone marrow and weakens your immune system to prevent your body from rejecting the donated cells.
- Infusion. Allogeneic transplants don’t require surgery for the recipient. Instead, you’ll receive an infusion of the donor’s stem cells through a central line or intravenous catheter.
- Survivorship. The care team provides follow-up care to monitor for long-term side effects and treatment success.
Your Transplant Team
At Sanford Health, you’ll have a whole team working to make your treatment a success.
Your care team includes:
- Advanced practice providers
- Cellular therapy lab staff
- Dietitians
- Financial advocates
- Hematologists who specialize in bone marrow transplants
- Hematology nurse navigators
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
Find a Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist
The Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center is one of the top cancer centers in the country. You’ll receive support at every step of your treatment journey.
Learn More About Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center
Refer a Patient for a Bone Marrow Transplant
Your patient will be in good hands. We’re proud to be the first and only location in North Dakota to offer a bone marrow transplant program.