Advances in hematologic stem cell transplant: an update for oral health care providers.

Oral supportive care is critical in the management of patients receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Advances in HCT, such as the use of stem cells isolated from peripheral blood instead of bone marrow, have resulted in more rapid engraftment and thus a shorter duration of pancytopenia. Reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, associated with less toxicity, make HCT available to older patients and patients with comorbidities.