Step One: An Introduction to Marrow and Cord Blood Transplant

If you are considering a bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a BMT), you have many things to think about. The guide STEP ONE: An Introduction to Marrow and Cord Blood Transplant gives you information to help you discuss treatment options with your doctor and make health care decisions.

• Download a printer-friendly (PDF) copy of the 36-page guide.
• Order a free printed copy using an online order form.

You may also find answers to many of your questions on this Web site.

Looking at treatment options

• What are my possible treatment options?
• What diseases can be treated with a transplant?
• How can I work with my health care team to play an active role in my treatment?
• What questions should I ask my doctor?
• How do I sort through my options to make a treatment decision (PDF)?

Learning transplant basics

• What is a marrow or cord blood transplant?
• How will my doctor search for a suitably matched donor or cord blood unit?
• What are the steps of the transplant process?
• What can I expect for life after transplant?

Planning for costs and choosing a hospital

• How can I plan for transplant costs?
• What questions should I ask my insurance company?
• What health care coverage terms will I need to understand?
• How do I choose a hospital that does unrelated donor transplants?  

Getting help

• Other patient support and resources from the NMDP
• A glossary of transplant-related terms
• A directory of other organizations that can help