Home > Blogs > Hematology & Bone Marrow > How is Bone Marrow Transplant Performed?
How is Bone Marrow Transplant Performed?

Bone marrow transplants are a type of treatment that can be used to treat a number of different conditions.
The most common reason for a bone marrow transplant is to treat leukaemia, but it can also be used to treat other blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease or lymphoma.
Bone marrow transplants are usually only recommended when other treatments, such as chemotherapy, have not worked or are not expected to work.
This is because bone marrow transplants are a very intensive treatment with a number of risks and side effects.
However, for some people, a bone marrow transplant may be the best chance of achieving long-term remission or even a cure.
How Bone Marrow Transplants Performed?
Bone marrow transplants involve taking healthy bone marrow from a donor and transfusing it into the patient.
The healthy bone marrow will then begin to produce healthy blood cells. There are two main types of bone marrow transplants: allogeneic & autologous.
Allogeneic transplants involve taking healthy bone marrow from a donor who is a close match (usually a family member).
The donor’s bone marrow is harvested through a process called apheresis, which involves removing the bone marrow cells from the bloodstream. Once the donor’s cells have been collected, they are transfused into the patient through an intravenous (IV) drip.
Autologous transplants involve taking healthy bone marrow from the patient themselves. The patient will first undergo high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy their diseased bone marrow cells.
Once the cancerous cells have been killed, the patient’s healthy bone marrow cells are collected and then transfused back into the patient.
The Risks & Side Effects of Bone Marrow Transplants
Bone marrow transplants are associated with a number of risks and side effects. These can vary depending on the type of transplant (allogeneic or autologous), the patient’s age and health, and the overall condition of the patient before transplantation.
Some of the more common risks and side effects include :
Graft-versus-host Disease (GVHD) :
This is a condition that can occur after an allogeneic transplant when the donated cells start attacking the patient’s normal cells. GVHD can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild skin rashes to problems with organ function
Infection :
Patients who undergo bone marrow transplants are at an increased risk of developing infections due to their weakened immune systems. Infections can range from mild (such as a cold or flu) to life-threatening (such as pneumonia)
Bleeding :
Patients who have undergone autologous transplants may be at risk of developing bleeding problems due to the high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy that they receive before transplantation
Fatigue :
Fatigue is common among patients who have undergone any kind of transplant as their bodies adjust to the new cells and learn how to function with them correctly.
Takeaway
Overall, bone marrow transplantation is still considered to be an experimental treatment option for leukaemia and other blood disorders.
Researchers continue to study ways to improve the safety and effectiveness of this treatment so that more people can benefit from it in the future.
If you think you might be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options so that you can make the best decision for your individual situation.
FAQs
- What is a bone marrow transplant?
- It is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells, often to treat cancers or blood disorders.
- What are the types of bone marrow transplants?
- The two main types are autologous (using the patient’s own cells) and allogeneic (using a donor’s cells).
- How is a bone marrow transplant performed?
- Healthy cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream, where they migrate to the bone marrow to produce new blood cells.
- What are the risks of a bone marrow transplant?
- Risks include infection, graft-versus-host disease, and complications from chemotherapy or radiation.
- How long does recovery take after a bone marrow transplant?
- Recovery can take several months to a year, depending on the patient’s overall health and response to treatment.

Patient Feedback

Great doctors, Good facilities, caring and helping staff. I recommend this hospital for day care services.
Sangram Shinde

All doctors r very good. There treatments is best. Other staff also good. The service of nurses is great...Hospital is always clean.
Vaishali Aitawade

All services provide by hospital are nice and on time. Doctors are polite and co-operative with patient.
Ankita Jagtap

All services provided by hospital is good. Hygiene maintained well.Even at night good care provided.