![Rep. Steve Scalise, who has been battling cancer, is getting stem cell transplant](https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=51013469&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C107)
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The office of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has announced that the lawmaker, who has been fighting cancer, is getting "an autologous stem cell transplant."
"Last month, Leader Scalise successfully completed induction chemotherapy and had a positive response. It has now been determined he is eligible for an autologous stem cell transplant. He is currently undergoing the transplant process, marking a significant milestone in his battle against cancer. Once the procedure is completed, he will be recovering under the supervision of his medical team and will work remotely until returning to Washington next month," the statement read. "He is incredibly grateful to have progressed so well, and is thankful to his entire medical team, family, friends, and colleagues for their prayers and support."
According to the Mayo Clinic, "An autologous stem cell transplant uses healthy blood stem cells from your own body to replace bone marrow that's not working properly. An autologous stem cell transplant is also called an autologous bone marrow transplant."
Scalise announced in August that he had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and started receiving treatment.
"Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs," according to the Mayo Clinic. "In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow."
Scalise has endorsed former President Donald Trump, throwing his support behind the apparent GOP frontrunner before the first contest in the GOP nominating process takes place later this month in Iowa.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!