A bone marrow transplant, or stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure that replaces the destroyed or damaged bone marrow cells or stem cells with healthy bone marrow cells.
It involves extracting healthy stem cells, filtering them, and transferring them back to the donor (autologous transplant) or to another individual, who is called the recipient (allogeneic).
Here, we will be answering some of the burning questions like, “Why bone marrow transplant is done?” “Is a bone marrow transplant safe?” or even “What to expect during a bone marrow transplant?”
The goal of stem cell/bone marrow transplants is to successfully treat various diseases related to blood and certain types of cancer. A stem cell/bone marrow transplant serves as the only potential cure for some diseases by helping patients have a healthy, functioning marrow.
A stem cell/bone marrow transplantation becomes necessary when:
A bone marrow transplant is categorized depending on the source of the healthy stem cells. In other words, the classification is made based on who the donor is. There are the following types of bone marrow transplants:
As the name says, during an autologous bone marrow transplant, the patient is itself the donor. The stem cells are carefully extracted before the patient receives high-dose radiation or chemotherapy and are stored in the freezer. After the chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the stem cells are infused back into the patient’s body, where they start producing normal blood cells.
The term “allo” means different. During an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, the stem cells are extracted from another individual, known as the donor, based on their HLA type (genetic match). The HLA type of the donor's stem cells should match the HLA type of the recipient. Allogeneic bone marrow transplant is further classified into two subtypes:
In this type of transplant, the donor is picked from siblings, parents, or children, and the transplant is initiated after confirming the HLA type matches. When the donor's genetic makeup matches the recipient's genetic makeup by at least 50%, it is called a haploidentical/half-matched transplant.
An unrelated donor or matched unrelated donor (MUD) is unrelated to the patient but has an HLA type that matches that of the patient. Unrelated donors are found through bone marrow registries.
During an umbilical cord blood transplant, stem cells are collected from the umbilical cord during childbirth. These stem cells are tested, typed, and stored until they are used for transplantation.
The malignant diseases that can be treated with BMT are:
The non-malignant diseases that can be treated with BMT are:
HCG is a leading hospital for bone marrow transplants in India. The hospital offers comprehensive autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplant programs as part of personalized treatment plans for patients dealing with different types of hematological disorders.
“How is a bone marrow transplant done?”
This is one of the common questions among our patients. They also have concerns about pain and ask their doctors questions like, “Is bone marrow transplant painful?’ or “Is bone marrow transplant safe?”
These concerns are normal, and the expert team will always ensure to address every concern and query asked by patients and their families before proceeding with the procedure.
To begin with, patients undergoing a bone marrow transplantation procedure undergo comprehensive medical, physical, and mental examinations. Detailed tests are performed to determine the compatibility and to evaluate organ function.
The patients should follow all the instructions given by the doctor, including vaccinations (to reduce the risk of infection).
It is necessary to adopt a healthy lifestyle before the procedure, and accordingly, patients will be asked to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, and perform gentle exercises regularly. Patients may undergo counseling to manage anxiety. Adequate preparation before the BMT improves the success rate and ensures rapid recovery.
During the BMT treatment, the patient undergoes conditioning. This step involves the administration of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill the diseased cells and suppress the immune system.
The healthy stem cells are then infused into the patient's bloodstream. These stem cells travel to the bone marrow, where they produce healthy blood cells. The procedure is virtually painless, and the patient is continuously monitored for various complications, such as infection or graft-versus-host disease. Patients should regularly visit the hospital for follow-ups to monitor their progress and to manage potential complications.
Patients may expect a recovery phase after the BMT transplant. This phase involves regular follow-up to monitor graft success and manage side effects, such as infection, fatigue, and graft-versus-host disease. The patient experiences gradual improvement as the new blood cells form. Life after a bone marrow transplant is usually normal if the patient follows all the instructions.
Medications are important to prevent various side effects after a BMT procedure, such as infections, and to support recovery. Common medications prescribed for patients after BMT are antivirals, antibiotics, antifungals, and immunosuppressive medicines. Other medications include analgesics and supplements.
A balanced, nutritious diet is important for recovery and maintaining adequate immune function. The food should be rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals for faster recovery. Avoid undercooked or raw food to reduce the risk of infection.
After BMT, patients often require emotional and psychological support. In such cases, they should consider joining support groups or may take the services of a counselor. It helps in managing various psychological conditions, such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Engage with friends and family members for emotional help and support.
HCG Cancer Centre, a leading hospital for cancer treatment in India, is well known for its comprehensive bone marrow transplant programs. The expert team here has highly trained and experienced bone marrow specialists who offer personalized and patient-focused care that is tailored to meet the individual health needs of each patient. It has state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technologies. We, at HCG, embrace a multidisciplinary approach to provide comprehensive care and support throughout the bone marrow transplant journey of our patients.
