A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a procedure used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukaemia and lymphoma, as well as other diseases such as Aplastic anaemia and Sickle Cell disease. During a BMT, healthy blood-forming cells from a donor are transplanted into your body to replace your diseased or damaged bone marrow.
Your bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. Blood cells include red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help prevent bleeding.
How It’s Done?
BMTs are usually done using blood that has been taken from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born (cord blood transplant). However, in some cases, peripheral blood stem cell transplantation or bone marrow donation may be used.
Cord Blood Transplant
In this type of transplant, stem cells are collected from the umbilical cord and placenta soon after a baby is born. These stem cells are then frozen and stored in cord blood banks until they’re needed for a transplant.
The advantage of using cord blood is that it doesn’t have to be a perfect match to the person receiving the transplant. Also, there’s a lower risk of developing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in which the donated cells attack the patient’s body, with cord blood than with bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplants.
However, cord blood transplants are usually only used if a brother or sister is unable to donate their own stem cells or if there’s not enough time to find an unrelated donor.
This is because there are usually only a small number of stem cells in cord blood, which means it takes longer for these transplanted cells to begin making new blood cells
Bone Marrow Donation
Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. To donate bone marrow, a needle is inserted into the donor’s hipbone to withdraw liquid marrow. The donor may be given general anaesthesia during the procedure so they won’t feel any pain.
The donor’s marrow will then be transfused into the patient through an intravenous (IV) line. In most cases, the donor will be able to go home the same day as the transplant.
A small number of donors may experience side effects such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms for a few days after the procedure. However, these side effects can usually be treated with over-the-counter medication..
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) uses stem cells that have been collected from the bloodstream rather than from bone marrow. To collect these stem cells, a process called apheresis is used. During apheresis, a machine removes stem cells from the bloodstream while returning other cellular components back to the donor through another IV line. Donors usually have this procedure done 2 or 3 times before their stem cells are ready for transplantation
PBSCT is sometimes used instead of bone marrow donation because it’s less invasive and may result in fewer complications. In addition, PBSCT allows doctors to collect more stem cells than bone marrow donation does. This means PBSCT may be an option for people who have medical conditions that make it difficult to donate bone marrow
Conclusion
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or another disease that requires treatment with a bone marrow transplant, it’s important to know what this procedure entails and how it’s done. While BMTs can be complex procedures, they offer patients hope for recovery and a chance at living a normal life once again.
At Sahyadri Hospitals, our team of specialists provides comprehensive care and advanced BMT services, ensuring that each patient receives the most effective treatment and personalised care. With state-of-the-art facilities and a compassionate approach, we are committed to guiding patients and their families through every step of the process, fostering a path toward recovery.
FAQ’s
What conditions can be treated with a Bone Marrow Transplant?
Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT) are primarily used to treat blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma, as well as non-cancerous conditions like aplastic anaemia and sickle cell disease.
How long does recovery take after a Bone Marrow Transplant? Recovery from a BMT typically takes between 3 to 12 months, depending on various factors, including the patient’s overall health and the donor match.
What support is available for patients undergoing a Bone Marrow Transplant? Patients can access comprehensive support through specialised care teams at hospitals, which may include counselling, nutritional guidance, and resources for managing side effects and recovery.
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