No. CAR-T therapy is not the same as a bone marrow transplant (BMT).
Although both treatments are used for certain blood cancers, they work differently — and their side effects are also different. For many patients, understanding the side effects is the most important part of the decision.

Bone Marrow Transplant: What Patients Usually Experience

A bone marrow transplant (also called stem cell transplant) requires very high-dose chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells and suppress the immune system before new stem cells are given.
Because of this intensive preparation, patients may experience:

  • Severe fatigue
  • High risk of infections
  • Mouth sores and digestive problems
  • Organ stress (such as liver or lung complications)
  • Weeks of hospitalization

In an allogeneic transplant (donor transplant), there is also a risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a condition in which the donor immune cells attack the patient’s body. GVHD can sometimes become a long-term or chronic condition.
Recovery after transplant may take months, and the immune system can remain weakened for a prolonged period.


Enjoying coffee in Tel Aviv to celebrate a successful CAR-T therapy 2019 best-country-for-car-t-therapy-for-blood-cancers.jpg

CAR-T Therapy: Different Mechanism, Different Side Effects

CAR-T therapy is an advanced immunotherapy that uses the patient’s own immune cells, which are genetically modified to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Unlike a transplant, CAR-T does not require extremely high-dose chemotherapy. However, it has its own unique side effects, most commonly:

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)

  • Fever
  • Low blood pressure
  • Shortness of breath

CRS usually occurs within the first few days after infusion. In most cases today, it is mild to moderate and can be treated effectively with medications. Severe cases are much less common than in the early years of CAR-T therapy, thanks to improved monitoring and early intervention.

Neurological Effects (ICANS)

  1. Temporary confusion
  2. Difficulty speaking
  3. Drowsiness

These symptoms are typically short-term and reversible.
Importantly, CAR-T therapy does not cause graft-versus-host disease.


Which Treatment Has More Severe Side Effects?

The answer depends on the individual patient and the specific situation. However:

  1. Bone marrow transplant often involves a longer recovery period and prolonged immune suppression.
  2. CAR-T side effects tend to occur early, are closely monitored in specialized centers, and usually resolve within days to weeks.

For many patients — especially older individuals or those who have already received multiple treatments — CAR-T may be considered less physically demanding than an allogeneic transplant.


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Publication date: Feb 26, 2026.