A bone marrow transplant replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow with newly formed healthy stem cells. It can be done using either your bone marrow or a donor.
The first step in a bone marrow transplant is to remove some of the patient’s blood so that doctors can identify the cells that need replacement. Next, the patient receives high doses of chemotherapy or radiation. This process stops the formation of new blood cells in the body.
Finally, the patient receives an infusion of healthy blood stem cells, which start to grow and build new blood cells within a few weeks. The new blood cells will help fight infection and disease. The entire process usually takes 4-6 weeks.
What Is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue in the center of most bones, which produces new blood cells and stores them in a process known as hematopoiesis. The marrow is made up of two types of cells- myeloid cells and stromal cells.
The Myeloid cells give rise to red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Stromal cells provide structural support for the marrow and produce essential substances such as collagen and fibronectin.
Stem cells are blood cells that are responsible for producing other blood cells. Pluripotent stem cells are the most primitive stem cells. The following characteristics distinguish this cell from other blood cells:
● Renewing: The cell can reproduce another identical cell.
● Identifying and separating: A subset of mature cells can get generated by it.
Why Is a Bone Marrow Transplant Needed?
A bone marrow transplant is needed when the patient’s bone marrow cannot produce enough healthy blood cells. There can be multiple reasons for this, including cancer, leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other disorders. A bone marrow transplant aims to replace the patient’s damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells from a donor. It can help improve the patient’s overall health and quality of life.
What Are the Three Different Types of Bone Marrow Transplants?
There are three bone marrow transplants- autologous, allogeneic, and syngeneic.
1. Autologous Transplants
It is a type of stem cell transplant. In an autologous transplant, the patient’s stem cells get used. The patient is then given high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy the cancer cells. Once the cancer cells have been destroyed, the patient’s stored stem cells will get defrosted and injected into their bloodstream. When stem cells reach the bone marrow, the cells begin to multiply and produce brand-new blood cells.
Autologous transplants are sometimes called autografts. They can treat many types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
2. Allogeneic Transplants
An allogeneic bone marrow transplant is a procedure that replaces a person’s diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor. The donor’s tissue type must be compatible with the patient’s for the transplant to be successful.
Allogeneic transplants are often used in treating leukemia and other blood cancers. The goal of the transplant is to cure cancer by giving the patient healthy, cancer-free cells. Sometimes, an allogeneic transplant may treat non-cancerous diseases like sickle cell anemia or thalassemia.
But before everything, in an allogeneic transplant, finding a compatible donor is crucial. It can be a family member, friend, or someone listed on a national registry of potential donors.
3. Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant
Umbilical cord blood transplants are a type of stem cell transplant. The stem cells get found in the blood left in the placenta, and umbilical cord after a baby is born. These stem cells can get used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma.
Umbilical cord blood transplants are done when a person does not have a matched donor for the bone marrow transplant. A matched donor has the same tissue type as the patient. It is a safer option because it reduces the risk of rejection.
Getting an umbilical cord blood transplant starts with finding a donor. Once a donor is found, the stem cells are collected from their cord blood and frozen. They are then thawed and injected into the patient through an IV.
⮚ Bone Marrow Transplant Cost in India
Bone marrow transplant cost in India can alter by counting on the type of transplant, the hospital and city where it is performed, and other factors.
The average cost of an autologous BMT (using the patient’s cells) in India is estimated to be between ₹10-15 lakhs. The cost of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant cost in India (using donor cells) can be even higher, at around ₹ 20-25 lakhs.
Conclusion
All three types of bone marrow transplants can be performed, depending on several factors. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. The best kind of transplant for a patient depends on many factors, including age, health, and type of cancer. You can contact specific hospitals like BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospitals for the best treatment and guidance.
Read More Blogs: