What is bone marrow?

 

Bone marrow is a spongy material in the central canal of certain bones. It is important because it contains special cells known as stem cells. Stem cells give rise to other specialized cells that perform important functions. Bone marrow stem cells produce three important types of blood cells:

  • red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all cells in the body
  • white blood cells, which play a key role in the fight against infections
  • platelets, which help stop bleeding

 

Bone marrow transplant

 

Bone marrow transplantation (also known as stem cell transplantation) involves harvesting healthy stem cells from a donor and administering them to the patient in order to heal the patient’s bone marrow. New stem cells take control of blood cell production. In some circumstances, it may be possible to harvest your own bone marrow from another part of the body (known as an autologous transplant). The bone marrow can be cleared of any diseased cells before being re-administered.

Bone marrow transplantation – How to perform / Transplant stages

 

The transplant involves five stages:

  • physical examination of the body and general health
  • obtaining stem cells to be used in transplantation (known as harvesting)
  • preparing the body for transplantation (known as conditioning)
  • stem cell transplantation
  • the recovery period, during which any adverse effects and complications will be monitored

 

Why is a bone marrow transplant necessary?

 

Stem cell transplantation is often necessary to treat diseases that have destroyed the bone marrow which, as a result, can no longer produce enough blood cells. Any interruption in the production of blood cells can be very serious, especially when:

  • Your body does not have a sufficient number of red blood cells. He will be deprived of oxygen, you will feel weak and tired and organ dysfunction may occur.
  • Your body does not have enough white blood cells. You will be at a higher risk of getting serious infections.
  • Your body does not have a sufficient number of platelets, which means that bruising and bleeding are much easier. Some of the diseases that can affect the blood and bone marrow are described below.

Leukemia

 

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects white blood cells. Cancer causes an uncontrolled increase in the number of white blood cells, and they are no longer characterized by the ability to fight infections. Cancer cells can spread rapidly in the blood, causing red blood cells and platelets to stop growing. This leads to symptoms such as anemia, increased risk of developing infections, and more bruising and bleeding.

 

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

 

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is another type of white blood cell cancer. However, they do not spread through the blood but through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of a series of connected lymph nodes spread throughout the body. It is an important part of the immune system, the body’s natural defense mechanism against infections.

 

Hereditary hematological diseases (genetic)

 

There are a number of inherited hamatological diseases in which gene changes (mutations) prevent the normal development of blood cells. These include sickle cell disease and thalassemia, both of which interfere with the production of red blood cells.

Who can benefit from a bone marrow transplant?

 

Normally, stem cell transplantation is recommended only in the following situations:

  • The transplant recipient is in relatively good health, despite the associated disease (this is why stem cell transplantation is often performed when the cancer is in remission)
  • Stem cells are obtained from a sibling with the same type of tissue, which reduces the risk of transplant rejection or graft-versus-host disease
  • The associated disease does not respond to other forms of treatment or it is considered that there is a high risk of the disease recurring if a transplant is not performed
  • The benefits of transplantation are considered to outweigh the risks

 

Bone marrow transplant at Group Florence Nightingale Hospital

 

Over the years, thousands of patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplasia, multiple myeloma, and other cancers or blood diseases have come to Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals for a number of reasons – including the fact that this is one of the most experienced transplant centers in the world and that our doctors can provide access to the latest research and techniques related to transplantation.