# What are the side effects of a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant?

Source: https://oncologyistanbul.com/answers/side-effects-of-bone-marrow-transplant
Last updated: 2026-07-13

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant may cause side effects. The high-dose conditioning treatment given beforehand can cause bleeding, an increased risk of infection, and fatigue, plus short-term effects such as nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, and skin reactions. Longer-term problems may include infertility, cataracts, new secondary cancers, and damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, or heart. With an allogeneic (donor) transplant, you might develop graft-versus-host disease, in which donor white blood cells attack your body and damage the skin, liver, intestines, and other organs. This is general information, not personal medical advice.

## Verify at
- [Stem Cell Transplants in Cancer Treatment](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/stem-cell-transplant) — National Cancer Institute (NCI) (checked 2026-07-12)

Related: [Bone marrow transplant, in depth](https://oncologyistanbul.com/treatments/bone-marrow-transplant)