Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is a procedure that involves the replacement of diseased or unhealthy Bone Marrow with a healthy one. BMT can be used to treat patients with Leukemia and other types of cancer, Aplastic anaemia (bone marrow failure), genetic diseases (that involve the blood), Sickle Cell disease, and Haemoglobinopathies.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant

The bone marrow is removed before the patient’s chemotherapy or radiation therapy and transfused back into the bloodstream after the treatment.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

The bone marrow is received from a donor whose Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) match with that of the recipient.

Umbilical Cord/Cord Blood Transplant

The immature Marrow Cells recovered from the Umbilical Cord of the newborn baby are stored and cryopreserved until they are needed for transplant.

Signs & Symptoms of Bone Marrow Transplant

Chest pain
Drop in blood pressure
Fever, chills, flushing
Headache
Hives
Nausea

Treatment of Bone Marrow Transplant

Extraction

The bone marrow from the patient or donor is extracted from the pelvic bone through injection under general anesthesia.

Conditioning

A high dose of chemotherapy or radiation is given to the patient to kill the cancer cells. The immune system is also suppressed to lower the risk of graft rejection.

Transplant

After the chemotherapy or radiation, Bone Marrow is transfused into the vein of the patient. Lots of blood and platelets transfusion is also provided simultaneously.