What is bone marrow transplantation?

Bone marrow transplantation is a medical procedure that involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells.

Who might need a bone marrow transplant?

Individuals with certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, or those with certain immune system or blood disorders might require a bone marrow transplant.

How long does a bone marrow transplant procedure take?

The duration of a bone marrow transplant procedure varies depending on the individual\'s condition and the type of transplant, but typically it involves several weeks of preparation followed by the transplant procedure itself.

What are the risks associated with bone marrow transplantation?

Risks of bone marrow transplantation include infection, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and side effects from chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Bone Marrow Transplantation 2024

Bone Marrow Transplantation

Bone marrow transplantation involves removing damaged marrow tissues, which may be affected by diseases like cancer, and replacing them with healthy tissues. Bone marrow is the soft, gelatinous, or fatty tissue found inside the cavities of bones, known as stem cells. The color of bone marrow is determined by the blood-forming components or fatty tissues, typically either red or yellow. Bone marrow transplantation has helped treat certain immune deficiencies and blood disorders, particularly leukemia.

Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure

The procedure involves taking a sample of healthy marrow, responsible for producing blood cells, either from the patient or a matching donor. Donors are often family members. The sample is obtained from inside the bone cavity using a special needle or through a process like giving preparatory injections and extracting cells from the blood. Patients are prepared for the transplant process, which may involve about 10 days of strong chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Tests are conducted before the procedure, including blood chemistry tests, clotting tests, liver and kidney function tests, urine tests, and a bone marrow sample to ensure the body is free from contaminants like blood and urine. Patients are also given plenty of fluids. Despite the challenging treatment and required tests, it is necessary for the patient to reach a good health condition for the procedure to take place.

Duration of Bone Marrow Transplantation

The necessary duration for bone marrow transplantation extends until the patient is injected with new stem cells, typically taking 3 months to complete and confirm the results, which may extend up to 18 months.

Results of Bone Marrow Transplantation

The success rate of bone marrow transplantation is generally very high. The first month after the procedure is the most critical period, during which the patient is kept in isolation in the hospital. The patient is then prepared to transition to home and is monitored for up to 100 days. Regular tests are conducted to ensure the success of the procedure and the absence of any relapses, while the body begins to function normally and produce cells. Patients may experience some minor or severe side effects, or none at all, with the severity varying from one patient to another.

When is Bone Marrow Transplantation Done

When the bone marrow fails to function normally and needs replacement, as in cases of anemia.
Due to the effects of certain genetic diseases such as Hurler syndrome or bone marrow failure syndromes, requiring marrow replacement to prevent complications.
To renew the functional performance of the bone marrow after chemotherapy and radiation therapies used to treat cancers and lymphomas.
To strengthen the immune system and replace it with a stronger system to combat cancer types that chemotherapy cannot eliminate.