About Bone Marrow Transplant
Bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant, a procedure of infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into the body to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow, is needed for patients with certain cancers or other diseases. Bone marrow transplants may use cells from your own body (autologous transplant) or a donor (allogeneic transplant). The purpose of BMT is to transfer healthy bone marrow cells into a patient after their own unhealthy bone marrow has been treated to kill the abnormal cells. Allowing safe treatment of conditions with high doses of chemotherapy or radiation, by replacing or rescuing the bone marrow damaged.
Replacing diseased or damaged marrow with new stem cells
Providing new stem cells, which can help kill cancer cells directly
What is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue that resides in the center of certain bones, including the hip and thigh bones. It contains stem cells, which are the precursors to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These blood cells have vital functions: red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, white blood cells fight infections, and platelets help with blood clotting and wound healing.
The bone marrow is divided into two types: red and yellow. Red marrow is responsible for producing red blood cells, some types of white blood cells, and platelets. Yellow marrow, which is high in fat, can convert into red marrow when the body needs to increase its blood cell production, such as when a person has anemia or after a significant blood loss.
Bone marrow also plays a crucial role in the immune system. The white blood cells it produces are part of the body’s first line of defense against disease and infection. These cells identify and destroy pathogens and also help to create antibodies, which the body uses to fight off future infections.
In addition to its role in blood cell production and immunity, bone marrow is also a critical component in medical treatments. Bone marrow transplants can be used to treat diseases that affect the marrow’s function, such as leukemia and lymphoma. In these procedures, the patient’s diseased marrow is replaced with healthy marrow from a donor.
Despite its soft and spongy nature, bone marrow is a robust and vital part of the human body. Its role in producing blood cells and supporting the immune system makes it essential for our survival. Understanding the function of bone marrow can provide insight into how our bodies work and how diseases can affect this important tissue.
What is a Bone Marrow Transplant?
A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure performed to replace bone marrow that has been damaged or destroyed by disease, infection, or chemotherapy. This procedure involves transplanting blood stem cells, which travel to the bone marrow where they produce new blood cells and promote the growth of new marrow.
There are two major types of bone marrow transplants: autologous transplants and allogeneic transplants. In an autologous transplant, the patient’s own stem cells are harvested before treatments like radiation or chemotherapy. After treatment, the cells are returned to the patient’s body to help the bone marrow recover and start producing new blood cells. This type of transplant is often used in conditions such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
In an allogeneic transplant, the stem cells come from a donor. The donor’s genes must at least partly match the patient’s genes. Special tests are done to see if a donor is a good match for the patient. A brother or sister is most likely to be a good match. However, sometimes parents, children, and other relatives may be good matches. Donors who are not related to the patient may also be found through national bone marrow registries.
Bone marrow transplants carry significant risks, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) where the donated bone marrow views the recipient’s body as foreign and attacks the body. There are also risks of infections due to the immune system suppression that is required in allogeneic transplants.
Despite these risks, bone marrow transplants can be life-saving procedures for conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia. They can also help patients with immune systems or genetic diseases. The procedure has evolved and improved over time, increasing the success rates and improving the quality of life for recipients.
Bone marrow transplants can benefit those with a variety of both cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) diseases, including:
Acute leukemia
Adrenoleukodystrophy
Aplastic anemia
Bone marrow failure syndromes
Chronic leukemia
Hemoglobinopathies
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Immune deficiencies
Inborn errors of metabolism
Multiple myeloma
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Plasma cell disorders
POEMS syndrome
Primary amyloidosis
What are the risks of a Bone Marrow Transplant?
A bone marrow transplant poses numerous risks. Some people experience minimal problems with a bone marrow transplant, while others can have serious complications that require treatment or hospitalization. Sometimes, complications are life-threatening. Possible complications from a bone marrow transplant include:
Your doctor can explain your risk of complications from a bone marrow transplant. Together you can weigh the risks and benefits to decide whether a bone marrow transplant is right for you.
Bone Marrow Transplant Recovery
Recovery time after receiving a bone marrow transplant varies but usually takes 3 months. The time after your transplant is a time of cell recovery and growth. The cells in your mouth, stomach, intestine, hair, and muscles will all regrow.