We may have come across bone marrow but it is unlikely that many of us will not be able to have the right kind of knowledge and information about it. Hence, it would be a good idea to know more about bone marrow transplantation from a common man’s perspective. Our bones have hollows inside them and this is the place bone marrow is produced. Bone marrow is a thick and gel-like substance and it is the place where the body produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. We might be aware that red blood cells are required for the growth of the body and the transportation of oxygen to various parts of the body. White blood cells help in fighting diseases and improving the overall immunity levels of the body. Platelets are extremely useful in helping the blood to clot and prevent uncontrolled bleeding in case of injuries and other such problems. While in a normal situation the bone marrow continues to produce adequate quantities of stem cells for these three main types of cells, there could be some situations where this may not be possible for the bone marrow. This could happen because of some types of blood cancers and also because of chemotherapy and other forms of treatment.
When Does Bone Marrow Transplant Become Necessar
When the bone marrow does not produce the required amount of bone stem cells or when it stops producing stem cells, you have no other option but to go in for bone marrow transplant. Without stem cells, it will not be long before the patient collapses and in many cases, the condition might turn fatal. Hence, bone marrow transplantation becomes extremely necessary and it could make the difference between life and death. However, this is something you must do and it must be done only under the careful supervision of doctors and only when all other options have failed.
How is Bone Marrow Transplant Take Place?
There are two major ways by which bone marrow transplant can be done. The first way is to take bone marrow from other parts of the body and have it implanted where it is necessary. The second way is to look for donors and ensure that the blood group and other such attributes match. Once this happens, it is possible to inject the bone marrow from the donor to the recipient. If the body accepts this, it will not be long before the recipient’s body starts producing healthy red and white blood cells and also platelets. This process has to be done under the careful guidance and care of a good doctor because it could be risky.
However, we need to bear in mind that there could be possible complications during and after the transplant. The body might reject the transplant and this could happen within a day or two. In some cases, it could happen after a few days and the risk of infections and other such problems should also be addressed as early as possible. Hence, the costs versus benefits of bone transplantation should never be lost sight of and the doctor is the best person who can take a call on this.
If you are keen on knowing more about bone marrow transplant procedures and types, then you are in the right place. We will talk about bone marrow transplant in brief and also look at the types of bone marrow transplant. This will certainly give the required information to the readers and help them to take a decision based on facts and truths rather than being driven by opinions and hearsays. To begin with let us have a brief idea about bone marrow and what function does it have. Bone marrow is a spongy and soft tissue that stays in the hollow of our bones. It is the powerhouse where red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other such blood related things are produced. When the bone marrow is damaged or destroyed completely, it leads to a situation where there is complete stoppage of production of RBC, WBC and platelets. In some cases, the production is highly inadequate. This is because the bone marrow match registry might have been damaged by certain types of blood cancers, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy and few others.
Major types of BMT
There are basically two major types of bone marrow transplants or BMT. The doctors will decide on the type of transplant that a patient will require.
Autologous transplants: The autologous transplant is a process where the stem cells of the patients are used for transplantation. It is a process where the cells from the patients are harvested before the beginning of a therapy that could be damaging. These treatments could include radiation or chemotherapy. Once the treatment is done, the same cells are returned to the body. This prevents the precious stem cells from getting damaged during such harsh treatments.
Allogenic transplants: This is a treatment where the stem cells of donors are used. The donor should be a close relative and there should be genetic match. A compatible relative could be the best choice. However, genetic matches can also be found from donor registries. This transplant method is the best option when the bone marrow cells have been damaged beyond repair. But this comes with a higher risk of complications and infections and this include GVHD. The patients may have to be put on mediations that will suppress the immune system so that the new cells are not attacked by the body. This can make you susceptible to infection and illness. The success of this treatment would depend on how perfectly the donor cells can match that of yours.
It Takes Time
There are many tests that should be done before the doctors are able to identify the type of bone marrow that your body will be able to accept. The whole process of transplantation could take around a week or even more. You must have the right hospital where this can be done. The insurance coverage and other such preparations must be complete. Children and pets should be taken care of and you must be ready to be off from work on medical grounds during the transplantation period. As it is quite obvious that your immune system would be weakened, you must insist that you should be put in a quarantined ward so that the risk of infection is reduced as much as possible
Gift of Life Marrow Registry
Address: 800 Yamato Rd suite 101 Boca Raton, FL
Phone: (800) 962-7769