A treatment known as a bone marrow transplant involves introducing healthy blood-forming stem cells into the body to replace bone marrow that is incapable of creating an adequate number of healthy blood cells. Stem cell transplants may also be performed using bone marrow as the donor tissue. 

If your bone marrow stops functioning properly and fails to create an adequate number of healthy blood cells, you may need a bone marrow transplant. In bone marrow transplants, the cells used may either come from the patient (known as an autologous transplant) or from a donor (allogeneic transplant).

It resolves a disease like Cancer. Finding an expert with a lot of experience is very important here. Above that one must have crisp knowledge about it. Read below with us the expert guide on types of bone marrow transplant, life after it and the types. 

Information of Bone Marrow Transplant by Dr. S. K. Gupta

Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure

It can be done by any one of the procedures listed below. The two major ways to do are: 

Autologous transplant

An autologous transplant uses stem cells harvested from the recipient’s own body. There are occasions when chemotherapy or radiation therapy administered in a high dosage or an intense fashion is used to treat cancer. This therapy might harm the stem cells in your body and your immune system. Because of this, before beginning therapy for cancer, a patient’s stem cells are extracted from their blood or bone marrow (sometimes called “rescued”) by medical professionals. 

Your immune system and your body’s capacity to generate blood cells and fight infection will be restored after the chemotherapy treatment is complete and your stem cells have been returned to your body. This procedure is also known as a stem cell rescue or auto transplant.

Allogeneic transplant

Allogeneic transplants use stem cells obtained from a donor, a person other than the recipient. After the recipient has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the donor’s stem cells are transplanted into the recipient’s body. This surgery is also referred to as an ALLO transplant in certain circles.  During an ALLO transplant, a “graft-versus-cancer cell effect” occurs in many patients. This is the stage at which the newly formed stem cells identify and eliminate any cancer cells that may still be present in the body. This is the primary mechanism through which ALLO transplants combat cancer and other diseases.

Why You Might Need a Bone Marrow Transplant?

It may be necessary when a person’s bone marrow is not in good enough health to execute its functions normally. This might result from therapy for cancer, persistent infections, or other diseases. The following are some of the reasons why a bone marrow transplant may be necessary:

• Malignancies that affect the marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma; damaged bone marrow as a result of chemotherapy; aplastic anemia, which is a condition in which the marrow stops generating new blood cells;
• This condition, known as congenital neutropenia, is a hereditary disease that results in recurrent infections.
• A blood ailment called sickle cell anemia is a genetic condition that creates abnormally shaped red blood cells.
• Thalassemia is a hereditary blood illness that causes the body to produce an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Red blood cells cannot function properly without the presence of hemoglobin.

What is life after bone marrow transplant?

A transplant of bone marrow is considered a substantial medical treatment, and it raises the patient’s chance of having the following negative effects:

• a decrease in the patient’s blood pressure
• an aching head
• a fever, nausea, discomfort, shortness of breath, and chills

The symptoms listed above are usually transient, but it might result in problems. Several different variables, including the following, determine the likelihood of you acquiring these issues:

• age, 
• general health
• the kind of transplant that you have received

The following are examples of complications, the severity of which might vary greatly:

• Graft-versus-host disease, often known as GVHD, is a disorder in which cells from a donor invade and assault the recipient’s body.
• Graft failure is the condition that happens when cells that have been transplanted do not start creating new cells as intended.
• Cataracts, which are characterized by clouding in the lens of the eye, bleeding in the lungs, the brain, and other regions of the body, damage to essential organs like the heart, lungs, and brain
• early onset of menopause
• Infections may lead to anemia when the body does not create enough red blood cells.
• Mucositis is an illness that causes inflammation and pain in the mouth, throat, and stomach. Symptoms of mucositis include nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Final Destination!

Bone Marrow Transplant is not something minor. The procedure is huge and involves professional care. Talking to your healthcare provider about any worries or concerns is highly recommended here. You will need the total support of a doctor like Dr. S. K. Gupta. He has successfully closed more than 250 bone marrow transplants and is still on the path to save more lives. Get in touch with him and get detailed insights about this procedure.