Blood and Marrow Transplant

The University of Kansas Health System offers a leading and comprehensive blood and marrow transplant (BMT) and cellular therapeutics program. It provides treatment for noncancerous and cancerous blood disorders.

Our health system is part of the The University of Kansas Cancer Center. The University of Kansas Cancer Center provides innovative and lifesaving blood and marrow transplants and cellular therapies for diverse blood cancers and disorders. They are 1 of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers nationwide. National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers achieve patient outcomes that are 25% better than those of other centers.

BMT uses healthy blood-forming cells from bone marrow or the bloodstream to rebuild a healthy blood supply. Cells for transplant may be your own, saved earlier or come from a donor. Your own cells may even be re-engineered in a laboratory to recognize and attack cancer cells. This is CAR T-cell therapy, and it's one of the most promising new discoveries in cancer care today.

We provide different types of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants. The transplanted cells renew your blood supply after chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Blood-forming stem cells, or hematopoietic cells, are in bone marrow. Peripheral blood stem cells are in the bloodstream. These cells can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets, which help the blood to clot.

The type of transplant you get depends on your specific diagnosis, stage of disease, overall health, current physical condition and age. Some types of blood and marrow transplant are outpatient procedures.

For people with fewer donor options and without a full match, a half-matched, related – or haploidentical – transplant can mean a cure. This means:

• Shorter wait times improve patient outcomes, especially for people with aggressive cancers
• Transplants can be done in 2-3 weeks, instead of several months
• With more donors available, nearly every person can find a match

Above all, more people live.

Established in 1977, our BMT and cellular therapy program is 1 of the largest in the country. We also have 1 of the largest acute leukemia programs, and our outcomes are second to none. We are the region's first BMT program accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.

Our program has experienced consistent growth and we have successfully completed more than 3,700 transplants. Our patients receive access to the widest possible array of treatment options, including photopheresis and novel clinical research trials. At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we were among the world’s first to provide FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy to treat adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Through the National Marrow Donor Program®, we help find matches for patients who do not have a suitable bone marrow or stem cell donor in the family.

Our BMT specialists provide comprehensive services for noncancerous blood, autoimmune and other disorders, which can include:

• Amyloidosis
• Anemia
• Fanconi anemia
• Hemophagocytosis
• Severe aplastic anemia
• Severe combined immune deficiency
• Sickle cell anemia

If you have a blood disorder such as hemophilia or sickle cell disease, a blood or marrow transplant may be a powerful treatment option. You can receive a transplant at the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion, where our nationally recognized BMT program provides lifesaving therapy for blood disorders, including:

• Amyloidosis
• Aplastic anemia
• Ewing sarcoma
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID)
• Sickle cell disease
• Testicular cancer or germ cell tumors
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma)

You'll receive expert care from our nationally recognized BMT specialists. They conduct clinical research to develop innovative treatment plans that save and improve lives.

The multidisciplinary BMT team includes:

• Doctors
• Financial counselors
• Genetic counselors
• Nurse coordinators
• Nurse navigators
• Nurses
• Nutritionists
• Pharmacists
• Rehabilitation medicine specialists
• Social workers
• Survivorship specialists

The Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion is a comfortable, healing environment focused on the needs of patients and families. It features warm, spa-like color schemes and natural lighting, with areas throughout the facility for quiet conversation and contemplation. Family and visitor lounges are located on Levels 2 and 3 of the facility.