Stem cells are tiny, round cells that have amazing abilities. Though most cells are only able to divide a certain number of times before dying, stem cells can continuously reproduce forever. They also have the ability to become other types of cells such as red blood cells or white blood cells. Stem cells can also change into ordinary blood cells or large cells. Research has shown that stem cells can be used for a number of purposes, and they have proven effective for treating various chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. Up and coming research has also shown that stem cells can be used in the treatment of cancer. In fact, many scientists are optimistic that further research could lead to the cure for cancer and many other presently incurable diseases.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplant is a revolutionary new process in which stem cells are used in bone marrow transplantation after being obtained from the patient's blood. Because stem cells normally are not found in the blood in large numbers, the patient is given a series of drugs designed to extract cells from the bone marrow and into the blood stream prior to the procedure. The stem cells are then removed from the body through a filtration process during which the stem cells are separated from the rest of the blood. Once the stem cells have been removed, they can be used immediately or stored until needed.

The procedure is most often used as a treatment for cancer. As such, before the stem cells are implanted the patient typically receives high dosages of chemotherapy combined with radiation. This is done to destroy any diseased or damaged cells in the patient's body. Once this is done, the stem cells can be re-implanted in the bone marrow where they will be able to form new blood and cells to replace those that were eliminated by chemo or radiation. When the stem cells are returned to the body, the solution is simply injected into the blood stream. The stem cells move straight back into the bone marrow without any further intervention.