Autologous Stem-Cell Transplant
An autologous stem-cell transplant uses your own blood-forming stem cells, collected and frozen before treatment. After high-dose chemotherapy clears diseased marrow, the stored cells are reinfused to rebuild a healthy blood system. Because the cells are your own, there is no donor and no graft-versus-host disease. It is used mainly for multiple myeloma and lymphomas.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
An autologous stem-cell transplant (also called an autologous bone marrow transplant) lets us give much higher, more effective doses of chemotherapy than the marrow could normally tolerate, then restore it with your own previously collected cells. The process follows five clear stages: evaluation to confirm suitability, mobilisation and harvest of your stem cells, high-dose conditioning chemotherapy, reinfusion of the thawed cells, and a period of engraftment and recovery while your new blood counts rebuild. Throughout, our multidisciplinary haematology and transplant team coordinates every step within a JCI-accredited environment.
From your first enquiry, a dedicated international patient coordinator manages your journey end to end, from medical records to travel and accommodation logistics. Before you travel, our transplant specialists carry out a remote second-opinion review of your reports and imaging to confirm that an autologous transplant is appropriate and to outline the plan. You then receive a transparent, itemised cost estimate based on your individual case, so there are no surprises, and the same team remains reachable for questions in your own language.
Who is a candidate?
- You have a diagnosis that responds to high-dose chemotherapy, most commonly multiple myeloma or Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Your disease is in remission or well-controlled, so healthy stem cells can be collected
- Your heart, lungs, kidneys and liver are healthy enough to tolerate high-dose conditioning
- Enough of your own stem cells can be mobilised and collected for a safe transplant
- You have no uncontrolled infection or other condition that would make the procedure unsafe
- You and your family understand the process, the recovery period and the need for follow-up care
What happens
- 1
Evaluation
We review your diagnosis, previous treatment and overall health with blood tests, imaging and organ-function checks, and confirm through our team that an autologous transplant is the right choice for you.
- 2
Stem-cell mobilisation & collection
Medication encourages your bone marrow to release stem cells into the bloodstream. The cells are then collected painlessly through a vein by apheresis, counted, and frozen for safe storage until needed.
- 3
Conditioning & infusion
You receive high-dose chemotherapy over several days to destroy diseased marrow. Your stored stem cells are then thawed and returned through a vein, much like a blood transfusion, with no anaesthesia required.
- 4
Engraftment & recovery
The reinfused cells travel to the marrow and begin producing new blood cells. During the neutropenic period you stay in protective isolation with close monitoring and supportive care until your counts recover safely.
Benefits
- Allows much higher, potentially more effective doses of chemotherapy than usual
- Uses your own cells, so no donor search is needed and there is no waiting for a match
- No risk of graft-versus-host disease because the cells are your own
- Can provide durable disease control and long periods of remission for suitable patients
- Well-established, widely used approach for multiple myeloma and lymphoma
- Lifelong follow-up can continue remotely with our team after you return home
Risks & considerations
- A neutropenic period of low blood counts that raises the risk of infection and bleeding until recovery
- Side effects of high-dose chemotherapy such as nausea, mouth sores, fatigue and hair loss
- Need for protective isolation and sometimes transfusions during engraftment
- Possible effects on fertility, which we discuss with you beforehand
- The disease can sometimes return, so ongoing monitoring remains important
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is performed by our Comprehensive Transplant Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Autologous Stem-Cell Transplant — frequently asked questions
An autologous transplant uses your own stem cells, so no donor is needed and there is no risk of graft-versus-host disease. An allogeneic transplant uses cells from a matched donor, which carries that risk but can offer an added immune effect against some diseases. Your team recommends whichever is right for your diagnosis.
Yes. After high-dose chemotherapy your blood counts fall and you go through a neutropenic period, so you stay in protective isolation with close monitoring, usually for around two to three weeks until your counts recover. Energy and immunity continue to rebuild over the following weeks to months once you are home.
Cost and length of stay depend on your diagnosis, your conditioning regimen and your individual needs, so we do not quote a fixed figure. After our team reviews your case, you receive a transparent, itemised personalised estimate covering the transplant, hospital stay and supportive care, with no hidden charges.
Yes. Our transplant specialists provide a remote second-opinion review of your medical records, scans and pathology before you make any travel plans. This confirms whether an autologous transplant is suitable, outlines the proposed plan, and lets your dedicated coordinator arrange everything with confidence.
Related treatments
Considering autologous stem-cell transplant?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.