Bone marrow is the spongy liquid fluid found in the centre of certain bones. The pelvic (hip) bones contain the greatest marrow and a significant quantity of stem cells. Cells from the pelvic bone are so routinely used in bone marrow transplant.
Transplantation of Bone Marrow
A bone marrow transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged or destroyed bone marrow caused by illness, infection, or chemotherapy. Blood stem cells are transferred into the bone marrow during this therapy, where they make new blood cells and speed up the formation of new marrow.
“Bone Marrow” refers to the spongy, fatty tissue found within your bones. It is in charge of the production of the following blood components:
- Red blood cells are nutrient-carrying, oxygenated cells that circulate throughout the body.
- Anti-infective agents, white blood cells
- Platelets are in charge of clotting.
In addition to these blood-forming stem cells, bone marrow includes immature blood-forming stem cells termed hematopoietic stem cells. Despite this, these stem cells are unspecialized, which means they can proliferate and either remain as stem cells or develop and mature into a range of blood types. Stem cells in your bone marrow produce new blood cells throughout your life.
With a bone marrow transplant, your damaged stem cells are replaced with healthy cells. This encourages your body to produce enough white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells to avoid infections, bleeding problems, and anaemia.
Procedures involved in bone marrow transplantation
When illness, chemotherapy, or radiation damage the bone marrow, stem cell transplants are used to replenish the stem cells. Depending on where the stem cells originate from, the bone marrow transplant operation is known by a variety of names:
- Transplantation of Bone Marrow (BMT)
- Transplantation of Cord Blood
- Transplantation of Peripheral Blood Stem Cells
Very strong doses of chemo, often in conjunction with radiation treatment, are used to try to eliminate all cancer cells in a normal stem cell transplant for cancer. This therapy also kills stem cells in the bone marrow. This is known as Myeloablation or Myeloablative Treatment. Shortly after therapy, stem cells are supplied (transplanted) to replace those that were destroyed. The transplanted cells would be expected to settle in the bone marrow, grow, and create healthy blood cells over time.
Engraftment is the name given to this process. Bone marrow transplants are classified into two broad categories:
Autologous: The term “auto” refers to one’s own. The first stage in this sort of transplant is the removal or harvesting of your own stem cells. Your stem cells are harvested and stored from your bone marrow or blood.
After receiving severe doses of chemo and/or radiation as part of your myeloablative therapy, the stem cells are thawed and reintroduced into you.
This kind of transplant is used to treat leukaemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. Other malignancies, such as testicular cancer and neuroblastoma, as well as several childhood cancers, are frequently treated with this type of transplant. Systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and systemic lupus erythematosus are all illnesses that can be treated with autologous transplants (lupus).
Allogenic: Allogenic is a Latin term that means “other.” Allogeneic transplants employ stem cells from a donor other than the patient, either a known or unknown donor.
Donor stem cells are used in allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The most frequent form of allogeneic transplant uses stem cells from a donor whose tissue type is quite similar to yours. The optimal donor is a close relative, usually a brother or sister. If no one in your family is a good match, a national registry can assist you identify a donor from the general community.
Allogeneic transplants work in the same way as autologous transplants do. The donor’s stem cells are extracted and stored or frozen. After receiving large doses of chemo and/or radiation as myeloablative treatment, the donor’s stem cells are frozen and supplied to you.
Allogeneic transplantation is frequently used to treat sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndrome, and other hereditary blood disorders such as Aplastic Anaemia, Fanconi Anaemia, Thalassemia, and Pancytopenia.
Surgical technique
- Numerous tests will be conducted prior to your transplant to establish what sort of bone marrow cells you require.
- You may need to endure radiation or chemotherapy before receiving fresh stem cells to kill any cancer cells or marrow cells.
- It might take up to a week to transplant bone marrow. As a result, you must prepare for your first transplant session.
- During therapy, your immune system will be suppressed, reducing your capacity to fight infections. As a result, you’ll be admitted to a hospital division dedicated to those receiving bone marrow transplants. As a result, you are less likely to be exposed to somebody who can infect you.
What is the procedure?
- It’s comparable to receiving a blood transfusion, if you’re wondering. Bone marrow transplantation is just a blood transformation procedure; no organs will be removed surgically.
- Bone marrow cells from your donor will be removed a day or two before your surgery if you are getting an allogeneic transplant. If your own cells are required, they will be obtained from a stem cell repository.
- There are two ways to gather cells.
- During a bone marrow harvest, a needle is utilized to retrieve cells from both hip bones. Because you will be sedated, you will be asleep and pain-free during this therapy.
What Can You Expect Following a Transplant?
The donor and recipient’s genetic compatibility is important to the success of a bone marrow transplant. Finding a suitable match among unrelated donors might be difficult at times.
Your engraftment will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Following the first transplant, it normally takes between 10 and 28 days to complete. to the illustrated illustrated illustrated illustrated illustrated. This means that the transplant is generating new blood cells.
A bone marrow transplant normally necessitates a three-month recuperation period. Nevertheless, complete healing might take up to a year. Several variables influence rehabilitation, including:
- The condition being treated
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Donor matching
Side Effects & Risks of Transplantation
Numerous worries may surface shortly after the transplant since the bone marrow was destroyed by medication or radiation right before the operation. The following are other unanticipated negative effects of conditioning:
- Mouth sores or an ulcer
- sickness and nauseous
- Issues with Eating Behaviours
- Hair Fall
- Infectious Breathing Issues or Lung Disorders
After the new cells have reached your marrow, they will develop into platelets, red and white blood cells, and other blood cells. Engraftment, as it is sometimes known, can take up to 3 to 4 weeks.
Advantages of Consulting with the Right Spine Surgeon for Your Needs
Final Assessment
Before a transplant, you will be evaluated to see if you are a good candidate. The body works exceedingly hard after a transplant. For many people, transplants can save their lives, but for others, complications can result in fatal outcomes. You should weigh the benefits and drawbacks before you start.
You should speak with your doctors about the operation and any possible negative effects before having a transplant. It is also helpful to talk to others who have had transplants.
