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In the middle of bones is a soft, spongy substance called bone marrow. It generates various types of blood cells, each with a distinct purpose. The medical process of replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells is known as a bone marrow transplant. Infections, autoimmune disorders, and different types of blood cancer can all harm bone marrow. In certain situations, healthy donor stem cells are transplanted to help combat the illness.
In India, the starting price for a bone marrow transplant is $14,000. The type of transplant, the physician's experience, and the hospital's amenities can all impact the cost. The cost may also be affected by how the adverse effects of this treatment are managed.
What Is A Bone Marrow Transplant?
A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a specialised treatment for individuals with certain cancers or other diseases. Specifically, the process involves harvesting stem cells from the patient or another person, purifying them, and then administering the purified stem cells to the patient or the other person. The goal of BMT is to replace damaged stem cells in the bone marrow with healthy stem cells after the diseased stem cells have been eradicated.
Since 1968, bone marrow transplants have demonstrated success in treating a variety of diseases including leukaemias, lymphomas, aplastic anaemia, immune deficiency disorders and select solid tumour cancers.
Why Is A Bone Marrow Transplant Needed?Many illnesses and cancers can be cured with a bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant may be required if the chemotherapy or radiation dosages needed to treat a cancer are so high that the patient's bone marrow stem cells may be irreversibly harmed or destroyed. If an illness has destroyed the bone marrow, bone marrow transplants can also be necessary.
A transplant of bone marrow can be used to:
What Are The Different Types Of Bone Marrow Transplants?
Depending on the identity of the donor, bone marrow transplants can take many forms. Among the different kinds of BMT are the following:
Autologous bone marrow transplant
Usually, the patient serves as the donor. Following rigorous therapy, the patient receives their frozen stem cells back. The stem cells are obtained from the patient either by bone marrow harvest or apheresis, a procedure that involves the collection of peripheral blood stem cells. The word "rescue" is frequently used in place of "transplant."
Allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
The patient and the donor have the same genetic makeup. Apheresis or bone marrow harvesting are the two methods used to obtain stem cells from a genetically compatible donor, typically a sibling. The following people may be additional allogeneic bone marrow transplant donors:
Umbilical cord blood transplant.
Soon after birth, stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord of a newborn. Compared to stem cells extracted from another child's or adult's bone marrow, these stem cells proliferate into mature, functional blood cells more rapidly and efficiently. Before being used for a transplant, the stem cells undergo testing, typing, counting, and freezing.
Haploidentical transplant
In this type of allogeneic transplant, the patient and donor are not a perfect match. A family member may be a haploidentical transplant donor. Parents are a half-match for their children, and children are always a half-match for their parents. The likelihood of siblings being a half-match is 50%. Special measures are taken to reduce the possibility of problems brought on by an incomplete match.
Procedures of the Bone Marrow Transplant
Autologous Transplant Procedure
The stem cells are gathered in this process before chemotherapy. For the duration of the chemotherapy treatment, they are then stored. Doctors infuse the previously saved stem cells once chemotherapy is finished. To verify the resumption of healthy stem cell proliferation, appropriate screening will be necessary.
Allogeneic Transplant Procedure
Finding a donor who is compatible with the recipient is the first step in the process. To preserve the stem cells for the duration of chemotherapy treatment, they are then extracted from the donor's bone marrow or blood. Following the completion of the chemotherapy sessions, the patient receives an injection of the donor's stem cells. To lower the risk of infection, antibiotics are also required during the recuperation phase.
How Are A Donor And A Recipient Matched?
Typing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue is a step in the matching process. The surface antigens of these unique white blood cells dictate an individual's immune system's genetic composition. At least 100 HLA antigens exist; however, it's thought that a select few key antigens mostly dictate whether a donor and receiver match. They are regarded as "minor" and their impact on a successful transplant is less clear.
Research on the function of all antigens in bone marrow transplantation is still ongoing. The better the engraftment of the given marrow, the more antigens that match. Stem cell engraftment occurs when the given cells enter the bone marrow and start producing new blood cells.
One chromosome contains the majority of the genes that "code" for the human immune system. The likelihood of a full sibling of a patient in need of a transplant having the same set of chromosomes and being a "full match" for transplantation is one in four because we only have two of each chromosome, one from each of our parents.
After Your Bone Marrow Transplant
Your blood carries the newly formed stem cells to your bone marrow once they enter your body. They proliferate throughout time and produce new, healthy blood cells. We refer to this as engraftment. Before your body's blood cell count returns to normal, it typically takes a few weeks. It can take longer for certain people.
Blood tests and other tests will be performed to track your condition in the days and weeks following your bone marrow transplant. To treat issues like nausea and diarrhoea, you might require medication.
You will continue to receive close medical supervision following your bone marrow transplant. A hospital stay of several days or more may be necessary if you are suffering from infections or other issues. To allow for close monitoring, you may need to stay near the hospital for a few weeks to months, depending on the kind of transplant and the likelihood of problems.
Until your bone marrow starts making enough red blood cells and platelets on its own, you might also require recurrent transfusions of those cells.
For months to years following your transplant, you can be more susceptible to infections or other issues. To monitor for late issues, you will continue to see your healthcare practitioner regularly for the remainder of your life.
Risk Factors of Bone Marrow Transplant Treatment in India
Side Effects of AUTO Transplant
Side Effects of ALLO Transplant
Graft-versus-host disease occurs when the body's healthy cells are destroyed by the stem cells of the donor.
While not all patients may experience them, some adverse effects are common to both therapy modalities. As a result, they could differ from person to person.
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Receiving a bone marrow transplant indeed carries several risks and problems. In some cases, it can be a life-saving treatment, but it also has serious drawbacks.
The answer is no, bone marrow transplants are not always successful. The normal range of success rates is 50% to 90%, with considerable variations depending on the donor match, patient's condition, and general health.
Yes, following a bone marrow transplant, many patients can lead long, healthy lives. Although the healing process can be complex, many patients can resume their regular lives, including work and school, with proper support and adherence to health regulations.