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Once an experimental procedure, bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation are now effective alternatives for treating many types of cancer. Stem cell transplantation has become the primary treatment process offered to a select group of patients with lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma. Newer advances in treatment have also shown response in a variety of solid tumors such as breast, ovarian and germ cell tumors. A number of anemias and immune system disorders may be treated with transplantation as well.

Bone marrow manufactures the body’s blood cells, which include red cells, white cells and platelets. In the transplantation process the stem cells are collected by apheresis from the patient (autologous), from a sibling (allogeneic), or from a matched unrelated donor from the National Bone Marrow Registry. The stem cells are then stored in a liquid nitrogen freezer. The diseased bone marrow or solid tumor is then treated with high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation. After a period of rest, the stem cells (healthy bone marrow) are re-infused into the patient, rescuing the patient’s blood system, thus re-establishing healthy bone marrow and the immune system. The type of transplant selected will depend on the disease being treated and other factors determined by the transplant oncologist.

Oncologists involved with the Blood and Marrow Transplant Center of Kansas: Bassam Mattar, M.D., FACP, board certified in both Hematology and Oncology, joined the Blood and Marrow Transplant Center (an integrated program of the Cancer Center of Kansas and Via Christi Regional Medical Center – St. Francis Campus) at CCK in 1999, and became its Program Director in 2005. He performs high-risk allogeneic, mini-allogeneic and autologous transplantation.

Dennis Moore, Jr., M.D., FACP, board certified in both Hematology and Oncology, is the Associate Director of the BMT Center of Kansas, and he performs autologous transplantation.

Seth J. Page, M.D., board certified in both Hematology and Oncology, joined the BMT Program in 2010. He performs high-risk allogeneic, mini-allogeneic and autologous transplants.

Pavan S. Reddy, M.D., FACP, board certified in both Hematology and Oncology, joined the BMT Program in 2005. He performs high-risk allogeneic, mini-allogeneic and autologous transplantation.

Phu V. Truong, M.D., FACP, board certified in both Hematology and Oncology, joined the BMT Program in 2005. He performs high-risk allogeneic, mini-allogeneic and autologous transplantation.

In August 2001 the program became a stem cell pheresis center for the National Marrow Donor Program.

The program started in 1989 and became the first community bone marrow transplant program accredited by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). In August of 1999 the BMT Center of Kansas was the 11th program in the nation to receive the highly sought after Foundation for the Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Therapy (FAHCT) Accreditation. The Program was recertified again in 2004 and 2011.