How dangerous is it to get a bone marrow transplant?

Risky Business: Bone marrow transplantation (or stem cell transplantation) carries a less than 5% chance of mortality from complications when done in the autologous (self) setting. Allogeneic (from another donor) bmt however is riskier with about a mortality rate of 10-20% using related donors and up to 30% using unrelated donors because of graft-versus-host disease.

Definitely has risks: While techniques are improving for allogeneic transplant, and the procedure can now be done in older patients, there is a significant risk of chronic illnes or death. To choose to have a transplant, a patient must have a life threatening condition where the risk of not having a transplant significantly outweighs the dangers of the procedure. Autologous transplant, if appropriate, is much safer.