Types of bone marrow transplant

There are different types of bone marrow transplant

Autologous transplant

A procedure in which a patient’s healthy stem cells (blood-forming cells) are collected from the blood or bone marrow before treatment, stored, and then given back to the same patient after the treatment chemotherapy or radiation. After the stem cells are collected, they can be frozen for months or years until the patient needs them for the transplant. This type of transplant features advantages like the patient doesn’t need to worry about incompatibility between the donor’s cells and the patient’s cells if it is autologous stem cell transplant.

Why is autologous transplant done?

This type is used mainly when the patient will be facing high doses of chemotherapy or radiation which means the bone marrow will be damaged and will fail in doing its job and producing blood components. Like in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or Plasma cell disorders

Allogenic transplant

A procedure in which a patient receives healthy stem cells from a related donor that is not an identical twin to replace their own stem cells that have been destroyed by treatment with radiation or high doses of chemotherapy. Before undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant, you’ll receive high doses of chemotherapy or radiation to destroy your diseased cells and prepare your body for the donor cells.

Why is allogenic transplant done?

It is used in a lot of cases to treat both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases like Acute leukemia, Primary amyloidosis, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Bone marrow failure syndromes, Chronic leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndromes, Aplastic anemia, Hemoglobinopathies, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Inborn errors of metabolism, Multiple myeloma, Neuroblastoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Immune deficiencies, Plasma cell disorders, or POEMS syndrome

Umbilical cord blood transplant

Stem cells are taken from an umbilical cord immediately after delivery of an infant. These stem cells reproduce into mature, functioning blood cells quicker and more effectively than do stem cells taken from the bone marrow of another child or adult. The stem cells are tested, typed, counted, and frozen until they are needed for a transplant. Both related and unrelated cord blood transplants have been performed with high rates of success for a variety of hematologic disorders and metabolic storage diseases in the pediatric setting.

Why is umbilical cord blood transplant is done?

Because Cord blood units are stored and ready to use, so it’s quickly available when a patient needs a transplant right away. Cord blood doesn’t have to be as closely matched to the patient as a marrow donor, so it may be an option for patients with uncommon tissue types. Studies have found that a transplant complication called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is less common and less severe after cord blood transplant than after a transplant using peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC).

Before bone marrow transplant

Before the transplant, an extensive evaluation is completed by the bone marrow transplant team. All other treatment choices are discussed and evaluated for risk versus benefit. And you’ll undergo a series of tests and procedures to assess your general health and the status of your condition, and to ensure that you’re physically prepared for the operation. A patient will often come into the transplant center up to 10 days before transplant for hydration, evaluation, placement of the central venous line, and other preparations.

After bone marrow transplant

The transplant infusion is painless. You’ll be awake during the procedure. In the days and weeks after your bone marrow transplant, you’ll have blood tests and other tests to monitor your condition. Continuous follow-up care is essential for the patient following a bone marrow transplant. You may need medicine to manage complications, such as nausea and diarrhea.