Preparing for a Bone Marrow Transplant: What You Should Know

Dr.Roshan Dikshit, 3 mins read

A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure that replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells like red and white blood cells, and platelets.
If you are recommended for a bone marrow transplant, you need to know why it is done, how it is performed, and its possible risks.

Why Is a Bone Marrow Transplant Done?

Bone marrow transplants help treat conditions that affect the blood and immune system, such as:

Blood cancers: Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Inherited blood disorders: Sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and aplastic anaemia.
Immune system disorders: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
Genetic disorders: Fanconi anemia and Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Getting Ready for the Procedure

Before the transplant, doctors will suggest some tests to make sure your body is ready for it and also to plan your treatment. These include:

Blood tests: To check your health and detect infections.
Imaging scans: X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to guide treatment.
Bone marrow biopsy: This is done to check if your bone marrow has abnormal cells.
Donor matching: If the transplant requires donor cells (allogeneic transplant), tests will confirm the donor is a good match.

How the Transplant Works

The process happens in three main steps:

Collecting the stem cells: These are collected from the bloodstream through a process called apheresis or, directly from the donor’s hip bone using a needle.
Conditioning treatment: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is performed to kill any diseased cells and prepare the body for the transplant.
Transplanting the stem cells: The healthy stem cells are infused into your bloodstream intravenously.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplants

Autologous Transplant: In this type, our own stem cells are collected, stored, and then given back to us after treatment.
Allogeneic Transplant: Stem cells are taken from a donor, usually a family member who is a close match.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Some short-term effects of a bone marrow transplant include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Fever or chills
• Pain
• Shortness of breath

It can lead to more serious complications depending on the age of the patient, health, and the type of transplant. These include:

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): When donor cells attack our body.
Graft failure: When the transplanted cells fail to work as expected.
Organ damage: Heart, liver, or lung issues.
Infections: Due to a weakened immune system.
Bleeding: In the brain, lungs, or other areas.
Cataracts: Clouding of the eye lens.
Early menopause: In women.
Mucositis: Soreness in the mouth or throat.

If you have concerns, visit us and talk to our doctors. They will help you understand the risks and benefits, so you can make the best decision for your health.