What it is
A hematology and transplant center is a hospital-based program staffed by physician-led teams. Hematologists focus on diseases of the blood, bone marrow and immune system. Transplant physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and other specialists often work alongside them.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant replaces a person's blood-forming cells with cells from a donor, or sometimes from the person's own body. Cord blood transplant uses blood collected from a umbilical cord after birth. Both are done in specialist settings with close monitoring.
In the U.S., the only FDA-approved stem cell products are cord-blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products. They are approved for certain blood and immune disorders. This is very different from retail stem cell clinics, where most products are not FDA-approved.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Blood and marrow transplant has long been approached as a specialist medical procedure. It is generally considered for certain blood cancers, bone marrow failure conditions and some inherited or immune disorders. Whether it is appropriate is decided by a licensed clinician after a careful evaluation.
Care is typically organized in stages: an evaluation, a search for a suitable donor or cell source when needed, the transplant itself, and a period of follow-up care. Teams often include many types of professionals, and families are usually part of the conversation.
Transplant centers commonly operate within established oversight systems, including hospital review processes and informed consent. Approaches and options differ from person to person and from center to center.
How the right provider may help
The right hematology or transplant team may help you understand your diagnosis, your options and the questions worth asking. A first visit is usually a conversation: reviewing your history, past records and test results, and explaining what a transplant evaluation involves. It is not a promise of any particular outcome.
Helpful questions to bring include: Is a transplant something I should consider, and what are the alternatives? Which cell source is being discussed, and what is its FDA status? What are the risks, and what does recovery and follow-up generally involve? How experienced is this center with my specific condition?
You can also ask how the team supports the whole person, such as through social work, nutrition, financial counseling and emotional support. Asking for a second opinion from another qualified center is a common and reasonable step.
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect each other. Facing a serious blood or immune condition can bring worry, fatigue and disrupted sleep, and those pressures can in turn shape how a person feels day to day. Caring for the whole person means attending to both physical health and emotional well-being.
Some people explore body-based support such as Somatic Experiences alongside their medical care, to help with stress and a sense of safety in the body. Others find talk therapy through Therapists.plus helpful for coping with uncertainty. These are complements to, not replacements for, the care your medical team provides.
Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Somatic Experiences: nervous system regulation →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Only a licensed clinician can decide whether a transplant or any stem cell product is appropriate, after an evaluation. Licensed professionals should guide care for blood cancers and other serious conditions.
- The only FDA-approved stem cell products in the U.S. are cord-blood-derived HPC products for certain blood and immune disorders. Most clinic offerings, including MSC, adipose/SVF, umbilical cord, Wharton's jelly, perinatal and exosome products, are not FDA-approved, and the FDA has warned the public about them. No exosome product is FDA-approved.
- Verify a product's FDA status, check that any study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with IRB oversight, confirm the clinician's license with your state medical board, and get written informed consent covering risks and alternatives. Be wary of cure-all claims, paying to join a 'clinical trial', testimonials in place of evidence, and pressure to travel for treatment.
- For an emergency, call 911. In a crisis, call or text the 988 Lifeline.
This is where FDA-approved cord-blood HPC products are used — a specialist hospital setting, not a retail clinic.
Providers
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Frequently asked questions
What is a hematology and transplant center?
A hematology and transplant center is a specialist hospital program that cares for blood, bone marrow and immune conditions. Physician-led teams may evaluate whether a hematopoietic stem cell transplant or cord blood transplant is appropriate. Only a licensed clinician can make that decision.
Is stem cell therapy FDA-approved?
Only a narrow set of stem cell products is FDA-approved in the U.S.: cord-blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products for certain blood and immune disorders. Most other products marketed as stem cell therapy are not approved, and the FDA has warned the public about them. Ask any provider about a product's FDA status.
What is the difference between a stem cell transplant and a cord blood transplant?
Both are forms of hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and they differ mainly in the source of the cells. Cord blood transplant uses blood collected from the umbilical cord after birth, while other transplants may use cells from bone marrow or circulating blood. A transplant team can explain which source, if any, may be considered.
Are retail stem cell clinics the same as transplant centers?
No. Transplant centers are specialist hospital settings that use FDA-approved cord blood HPC products for specific blood and immune disorders. Many retail clinics offer unapproved products, and a 'holistic' or 'alternative' label does not change a product's FDA status.
What should I ask at a first visit to a transplant center?
Start by asking whether a transplant is appropriate for your condition and what the alternatives are. Ask about the cell source and its FDA status, the risks, the follow-up care and the team's experience. You may also ask about written informed consent and getting a second opinion.
How can I check a provider or study is legitimate?
Confirm the clinician's license with your state medical board and check that any study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with IRB oversight. Be cautious about cure-all claims, fees to join a 'clinical trial', testimonials in place of evidence, or pressure to travel. Always get written informed consent that covers risks and alternatives.
Educational resource. StemCell.biz shares general information and connects people with independent providers. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.