Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow transplant is a commonly employed medical procedure to address severe blood diseases, particularly conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

In Turkey, bone marrow transplant has a rich history that spans several decades. Our healthcare system has consistently developed and strengthened in tandem with technological and scientific advancements in this domain. Skilled surgeons and specialized teams conduct kidney transplant operations, significantly enhancing the quality of life for patients.

When is Bone Marrow Transplant Performed?

Bone marrow transplantation is viewed as a viable treatment for individuals confronting diverse health challenges, primarily those with severe health issues unresponsive to alternative treatments. It is frequently used to address blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, where bone marrow cells may lose normal function or be replaced by cancerous cells.

The procedure involves transplanting healthy bone marrow cells into the recipient, facilitating the production of healthy blood cells. Additionally, bone marrow transplantation may be considered when other treatment options prove ineffective or insufficient. Specifically, if the disease persists or reoccurs despite treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation becomes a potential alternative.

What is the Process Before Bone Marrow Transplant?

The pre-bone marrow transplant process entails assessing the patient's condition and making necessary preparations for a successful transplant. This crucial stage involves a series of tests, evaluations, and preparations. The patient's overall health is evaluated to determine eligibility for bone marrow transplantation, considering factors such as age, general health, and response to previous treatments.

Donor compatibility is verified, with a suitable donor being crucial for allogeneic transplants. Generally, family members are selected, and genetic compatibility tests are conducted. Before the transplant process, the patient may undergo high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These treatments aim to eliminate existing bone marrow cells and manage the disease, but their potential side effects must be carefully considered and planned.

Laboratory tests are conducted to assess the patient's overall health, including blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, etc. This information, along with the patient's medical history, previous treatments, and medications used, is critical for planning the transplant process and averting potential complications.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

There are different methods of performing bone marrow transplantation, mainly categorized as autologous (utilizing the patient's cells) and allogeneic (employing cells from another individual).

• Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant: This process involves using the patient's healthy bone marrow cells. The patient's healthy bone marrow cells are collected in advance and stored. Subsequently, when the patient's bone marrow is damaged or following high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer treatment, their cells are reintroduced. Autologous transplantation is more prevalent as it presents a lower risk of rejection, given the utilization of the patient's genetic material.
•  Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant: In this procedure, healthy bone marrow cells from a donor are transplanted into the recipient. The genetic compatibility between the donor and recipient is a crucial consideration. Typically, the donor is a family member, sibling, or another compatible individual. Allogeneic transplantation, unlike the use of the patient's cells, requires more meticulous compatibility testing due to the risk of donor cell rejection.
• Potential Complications of Bone Marrow Transplant: While bone marrow transplant offers various advantages, it is not without potential complications. These complications are generally associated with the transplant process, immunosuppression, and treatment methods like high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Primarily, infections are a common complication post-bone marrow transplantation. The transplant process suppresses the immune system, rendering the patient susceptible to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication that may arise after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The recipient's body identifies the donor cells as foreign, triggering an immune response affecting the skin, liver, and intestines, potentially leading to serious consequences.

Cell rejection is another condition that can occur following allogeneic transplantation. The recipient's body recognizes the transplanted cells as foreign, initiating an immune reaction that may result in the rejection of transplanted cells and the failure of the transplant. Despite all these possible complications, bone marrow transplantation is successfully performed today. After passing the necessary tests, the process can begin for the patient in need. You can contact Phoenix Healthy for all details about the bone marrow transplant procedure.