How is bone marrow transplant relevant for blood cancer patients?

Know all about the transplant (Source: Freepik)

This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, observed every year in September, let’s understand more about BMT and how it helps blood cancer patients.

1. 01

   What is a bone marrow transplant (BMT) and when is it required?

   BMT, or stem cell transplant, involves infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into a patient's body when their bone marrow is unable to produce sufficient healthy blood cells. It can also be used when the patient's bone marrow is damaged or nonfunctional.

2. 02

   What are the two primary types of BMT, and how do they differ?

   There are two main types of BMT: autologous transplant and allogeneic transplant. Autologous transplants involve using the patient's cells, while allogeneic transplants use donor cells, which must closely match the patient's tissue type.

   Autologous transplants are often used for diseases like multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas, but allogeneic transplants, on the other hand, are commonly employed for conditions like leukaemia and severe aplastic anaemia, where the introduction of healthy donor cells is necessary to replace the damaged or cancerous bone marrow, said Dr Sood.

3. 03

   Can you explain the process of BMT?

   *The first step is to find a compatible donor. This can be an allogeneic donor (usually a sibling or unrelated donor) or an autologous donor (the patient's own cells collected before treatment). The donor's tissue type must match the patient's closely to minimise the risk of complications, explained Dr Sood.

   *Before the transplant, the patient may undergo a conditioning regimen, which involves high-dose chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy. “This treatment helps prepare the body for the new marrow and reduces the risk of rejection,” said Dr Sood.

   *During the transplant, healthy marrow cells from the donor are infused into the patient's bloodstream through a catheter. “These cells find their way to the bone marrow and begin producing new blood cells,” said Dr Sood.

4. 04

   What is post-transplantation care like?

   After transplantation, patients are closely monitored for complications, and supportive care. Recovery can take several months, and patients often require ongoing follow-up care. Dr Sood said that preparing for BMT involves finding a suitable donor, undergoing a conditioning regimen, and closely monitoring for complications. Significant risks include graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infections, and organ damage. Patients should discuss these risks with their healthcare team.

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