The procedures for high-dose treatment with stem cell support and allogeneic transplants in children are similar to those for adults described in this section.

Donors who are children will always have stem cells collected from their bone marrow. Older children (usually over 10) now sometimes have stem cells collected from their blood.

When planning the transplant, doctors will consider very carefully the effects of the intensive preparatory treatment, so that long-term effects – for example, on the child’s growth, development and future fertility – are kept to a minimum.

You may find that the approach to treatment used by specialist children’s units is different from that used in adult units (and described here); for example, your child may not be in a room on their own for very long, if at all.

When your child is back at school and mixing with other children, they will need to take care to avoid infections, including common childhood diseases such as chickenpox and measles. Your child’s doctors will discuss with you when your child should have immunisations.

Many organisations can support and advise the parents of children who have cancer.