All about Bone Marrow Transplants

Bone marrow transplants are lifesaving procedures for people with illnesses like leukemia and lymphoma. But what exactly is a bone marrow transplant, and how does it work? 

In this post, we'll answer these questions and more. We'll also discuss the process of finding a donor match and the risks and benefits of this procedure. 

So,

What is a bone marrow transplant?

A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This can help people with certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood disorders. 

During a bone marrow transplant, healthy stem cells are injected into your bloodstream through an IV. These cells then travel to your bone marrow, where they begin to produce new blood cells. 

A bone marrow transplant can also be used to treat other blood disorders, such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease. 

Also, the success of a bone marrow transplant depends on many factors, including the type of disease being treated, the age of the patient, and the overall health of the patient. 

Bone marrow transplants have been used to treat cancer for more than 60 years, and they're constantly becoming more effective as newer technologies are developed.

But,

Why does a person need a bone marrow transplant?

There are many different reasons why a person may need a bone marrow transplant. 

One of the most common reasons is to treat leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood cells. Bone marrow produces blood cells, so when leukaemia starts to damage the bone marrow, it can severely reduce the production of blood cells. This can lead to life-threatening problems such as infections or bleeding. 

A bone marrow transplant can provide healthy bone marrow to replace the damaged bone marrow and help restore the production of blood cells. 

In some cases, a bone marrow transplant may also be used to treat other types of cancer, such as lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome. It can also treat inherited disorders that affect the bone marrow, such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease. 

A bone marrow transplant can be a life-saving treatment for many people with these conditions.

So, 

How bone marrow transplant works

The first step in a bone marrow transplant is to find a donor who is a match for the patient. This can be done through a registry of people who have volunteered to donate their bone marrow 

To find a match, doctors will test the patient's blood and compare it to the donors in the registry. The best match is usually someone who shares the same blood type and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type as the patient 

Once a match is found, the donor will undergo a medical procedure to remove their bone marrow. This is usually done through a needle that's inserted into the back of the pelvic bone 

The donated bone marrow is then transplanted into the patient. This is usually done through an IV, and the bone marrow goes into the bloodstream and starts to produce new blood cells. 

After the transplant, the patient will need to stay in the hospital for a few weeks so that their doctors can closely monitor their condition. They'll also need to take medication to help prevent their body from rejecting the donor's bone marrow 

In some cases, the transplanted bone marrow may start producing cancerous cells. If this happens, the patient may need additional treatment 

What are the risks and benefits of a bone marrow transplant?

Bone marrow transplants are usually very successful, but there are certain risks involved. These include 

Infection: 

There's a risk of infection because the patient's immune system is suppressed after the transplant. They'll need to stay in the hospital so that they can be closely monitored for any signs of infection 

Graft-versus-host disease: 

This is a condition where the donor's cells start attacking the patient's healthy cells. It can be severe and even life-threatening 

Rejection: 

There's also a risk that the patient's body will reject the donor's bone marrow. This is why it's important to find a match who has the same blood type and HLA type 

Despite these risks, bone marrow transplants can be life-saving treatments for many people with cancer or other blood disorders.

FAQ About Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplant)

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are some of the most interesting and important biological discoveries of the last century. Their flexibility and versatility are particularly remarkable: they are capable of self-replication, can differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types, adapt to their environment, and can rebuild damaged tissues. 

What is the difference between a bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant?

Bone marrow transplants involve replacing damaged or deficient bone marrow with healthy, donated bone marrow.

In contrast, stem cell transplants rely on collecting a high concentration of undifferentiated cells from other sources, such as umbilical cord blood or peripheral blood, instead of bone marrow.

Are there different types of bone marrow transplants?

There are three main types of bone marrow transplants: autologous, allogeneic, and umbilical cord blood transplantation, each with their own benefits and limitations. Read more details on bone marrow transplants types

Which is the best hospital in India for bone marrow transplants? 

When choosing or selecting the best hospital for a bone marrow transplant, consider the expertise of the doctors, the infrastructure, the number of patient experiences they have had, the success rate of the transplant, and the total cost of the surgery. A comparison of the available statistics shows that Sahyadri hospitals in Pune, India, are among the best for BMT treatment.

Will I have to stay in the hospital after a bone marrow transplant? 

The hospital stay required for a BMT can vary greatly, involving factors such as the patient's age and overall health, as well as the type of transplant being done. 

Generally speaking, an inpatient stay of four to six weeks can be expected following a BMT procedure. During this time, it is important to rest and allow your body to heal while staff monitor your progress and adjust your medication accordingly. 

This is also a great opportunity to ask the nursing staff any questions you may have about things like diet and exercise guidelines following your recovery.

What is the Success rate of Bone marrow transplants in India?

Currently, the success rate sits close to 60%, although it depends on factors such as the type of cell used, an individual's specific physical condition, and their response to the treatment. 

However, there are certain challenges in the overall organ transplant process in India, such as access to donor availability, that still need to be addressed before we can see higher success rates.