The Fred Hutch Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is proud to be nationally recognized for our work in bone and marrow and stem cell transplant.
Recently, SCCA was among leading cancer centers noted for achieving all standards set forth by Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), an organization dedicated to providing potential stem cell transplant recipients, their families and the general public with important information about the observed and expected survival rates at participating transplant centers. SCCA was also acknowledged for performing as expected for one-year survival rates.
Blood and marrow transplantation is among the greatest success stories in cancer care, increasing the cure rates of some blood cancers to as high as 90 percent. The Fred Hutch Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at SCCA is rooted in a more than 50-year legacy of pioneering advances in bone and marrow and stem cell transplantation. Since its creation, doctors in the program have completed more than 17,000 bone and marrow and stem cell transplants, making it among the most experienced cancer centers in this field in the world.
“At SCCA, we understand there are many things to consider when choosing a place to receive cancer treatment. And we are proud to be known as a place where stem cell and bone and marrow transplant patients can find the best care,” said Dr. Nancy E. Davidson, president and executive director at SCCA and senior vice president of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutch. “Our team is comprised of the most experienced BMT providers in the world. We are always striving to improve the care we provide, find new ways to increase transplant survival rates and ensure our patients thrive.”
Patients typically receive blood and marrow transplants after they have undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy — or both — to destroy disease-causing cells. The transplanted cells, called hematopoietic (bloodforming) stem cells, revitalize the body’s ability to make healthy new blood cells and offer the body a chance to “reset.” The cells can be from the patient, a matched donor, or a family member.
As part of its efforts to improve BMT, SCCA has pioneered innovations like less toxic, reduced-intensity transplants for older people or people with multiple health problems as well as minimally mismatched, haploidentical or cord blood transplants. These advances have ensured that nearly everyone who needs a donor can find one.
SCCA works with patients throughout their care journey, following them from initial consultation through treatment and transplant and then engaging them in a Long-Term Follow Up (LTFU) program and into survivorship. SCCA also offers support services to patients in the BMT program as well as their families and caregivers. Currently, the LTFU program at SCCA has specialists who are following more than 6,000 patients, both children and adults, some of whom had a transplant more than 40 years ago — prior to the opening of The Fred Hutch Bone Marrow Transplant program.
“We want our patients to know we are committed to constantly improving outcomes in bone and marrow and stem cell transplants, and we take pride in being featured by CIBMTR among our peers,” said Dr. Marco Mielcarek, medical director for the adult blood and marrow transplant program at SCCA. “BMT is an ingrained part of SCCA’s legacy of care and innovation. Our dedicated team of clinicians works side-by-side with our patients to ensure they have the care and support they need to live longer, richer and healthier lives.”
SCCA has performed as expected or outperformed expectations for one-year survival rates for more than a decade according to the annual CIBMTR report. Additionally, it has been ranked among the top 10 best cancer hospitals by U.S. News and World Report for more than 10 years.
