[Bone marrow transplantation. Indications, chances and perspectives]

The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has become an essential part of the treatment regimens in patients with acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes, malignant lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and aplastic anemia. The decision to transplant depends on the stage of the disease, presence of risk factors, and age of the patient and should be taken by experienced hematologists/oncologists. Advances in immunogenetics have improved the treatment results of unrelated marrow donor transplantations. Better supportive care, modified conditioning regimens, and special graft preparations allow an allogeneic transplantation up to an age of 60 to 65 years, an autologous transplantation at an even higher age.