Orthopedists (bone specialists) and orthopedic surgeons at Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders make our pediatric orthopedics programs among the largest and most respected in the world. Along with our renowned oncologists (cancer doctors), hematologists (blood specialists) and researchers, we rank among the very best in the country for both pediatric orthopedics and cancer care (U.S. News & World Report named Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware one of the “Best Hospitals”).
Our combined expertise allows us to diagnose and treat common, rare and complex bone tumors in children.
Blood has three main cell types: red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infection) and platelets (which clot the blood). New blood cells (called “stem cells”) begin in the bone marrow — the red spongy material found inside the bones — and are released to the bloodstream when mature.
A blood and bone marrow transplant takes unhealthy stem cells out of the bone marrow and replaces them with healthy stem cells, with the intent to treat childhood cancers and nonmalignant blood and bone marrow diseases.
A blood and bone marrow transplant procedure (also called “stem cell transplant”) is used to treat childhood cancers and blood disorders including:
In addition to childhood cancers and blood disorders, Nemours treats nonmalignant bone marrow disorders, immune system deficiencies and some metabolic disorders with allogeneic blood and bone marrow transplantation.
There are three main types of pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant procedures based on who donates the healthy stem cells.
When the child is the donor, it’s called an “autologous bone marrow transplant” (or “autologous bone marrow rescue”). Healthy stem cells are either harvested from the child’s own bone marrow intravenously (“IV”), or collected from the child’s circulation (called “peripheral blood or apheresis”) and then reinserted after intensive treatment such as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for childhood cancers and blood disorders. The primary goal of an autologous bone marrow transplant is to “rescue” a child from the effects of very high doses of chemotherapy.
When a parent, sibling or unrelated person donates genetically matched stem cells, it’s called an “allogeneic bone marrow transplant.” Similar to an autologous bone marrow transplant, a donor’s healthy stem cells are harvested from bone marrow or collected from peripheral blood.
Nemours is recognized by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) as an affiliated center for matched unrelated donor transplants, and by many insurance providers as a Center of Excellence.
When stem cells are taken from a newborn’s umbilical cord, it can be frozen and stored in a blood bank for a cord blood transplant. These stem cells are particularly effective because they mature quickly and are less likely to cause severe complications such as graft-host diseases.
Pediatric blood and bone marrow transplants require very specialized care from the first visit and throughout treatment, recovery and beyond. Transplants typically take up to three weeks for planning and preparation, and six weeks of inpatient hospital care in special blood and bone marrow transplant units staffed by highly trained physicians and nurses.
The process differs depending on the type of pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant procedure, the condition we’re treating and other factors, but you generally can expect the following:
Blood and bone marrow transplants significantly impact the immune system which increases the risk for infections and other complications that can be severe and life-threatening. It can take months or years for the immune system to recover entirely, so close monitoring is crucial.
At the Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, we have the preventive measures, medicines, innovative medical therapies and support programs in place to help your child and family manage and treat possible issues after a transplant, including:
The pediatric Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware is one of only a handful in the United States that performs autologous and allogeneic transplants accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapies (FACT). We’re also recognized by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) as an affiliated center for matched unrelated donor transplants.
In addition to an experienced, compassionate transplant coordinator (a nurse who provides your child and family transition support, education and care coordination), the Delaware Valley’s pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant teams include:
For your child’s overall health and wellness, we also prescribe physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management services, palliative and care (to manage physical symptoms) and integrative medicine therapies (massage, hydrotherapy, biofeedback, yoga, meditation and more).
Nemours Children's provides an array of support services to help your child and family throughout the entire journey. Our supportive care begins on the very first day we meet, and continues beyond treatment.
At Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, we provide an environment where kids and families can find fun and normalcy during long-term hospital stays. Some of our amenities for blood and bone marrow patients and families include:
The pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville is a unique collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic in Florida and Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville. The program is one of a handful in the country that performs autologous and allogeneic transplants to have been recognized and accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapies (FACT) for more than 10 years. We’re also recognized by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) as an affiliated center for matched unrelated donor transplants.
In addition to an experienced, compassionate transplant coordinator (a nurse who provides your child and family transition support, education and care coordination), Jacksonville's pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant teams include:
For your child’s overall health and wellness, we also prescribe physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management services, palliative and care (to manage physical symptoms) and integrative medicine therapies (massage, hydrotherapy, biofeedback, yoga, meditation and more).
Nemours provides an array of support services to help your child and family throughout the entire journey. Our supportive care begins on the very first day we meet, and continues beyond treatment because at Nemours, your child and family become part of our own.
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