What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure performed to replace bone marrow that has been damaged or destroyed by disease, infection, or chemotherapy. This procedure involves transplanting blood stem cells, which travel to the bone marrow where they produce new blood cells and promote growth of new marrow.

Bone marrow is the spongy, fatty tissue inside your bones. It creates the following parts of the blood:

Bone marrow also contains immature blood-forming stem cells known as hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs. Most cells are already differentiated and can only make copies of themselves. However, these stem cells are unspecialized, meaning they have the potential to multiply through cell division and either remain stem cells or differentiate and mature into many different kinds of blood cells. The HSC found in the bone marrow will make new blood cells throughout your lifespan.

A bone marrow transplant replaces your damaged stem cells with healthy cells. This helps your body make enough white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells to avoid infections, bleeding disorders, or anemia.

Healthy stem cells can come from a donor, or they can come from your own body. In such cases, stem cells can be harvested, or grown, before you start chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Those healthy cells are then stored and used in transplantation.

Bone marrow transplants are performed when a persons marrow isnt healthy enough to function properly. This could be due to chronic infections, disease, or cancer treatments. Some reasons for a bone marrow transplant include:

A bone marrow transplant is considered a major medical procedure and increases your risk of experiencing:

The above symptoms are typically short-lived, but a bone marrow transplant can cause complications. Your chances of developing these complications depend on several factors, including:

Complications can be mild or very serious, and they can include:

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. They can help you weigh the risks and complications against the potential benefits of this procedure.

There are two major types of bone marrow transplants. The type used will depend on the reason you need a transplant.

Autologous transplants involve the use of a persons own stem cells. They typically involve harvesting your cells before beginning a damaging therapy to cells like chemotherapy or radiation. After the treatment is done, your own cells are returned to your body.

This type of transplant isnt always available. It can only be used if you have a healthy bone marrow. However, it reduces the risk of some serious complications, including GVHD.

Allogeneic transplants involve the use of cells from a donor. The donor must be a close genetic match. Often, a compatible relative is the best choice, but genetic matches can also be found from a donor registry.

Allogeneic transplants are necessary if you have a condition that has damaged your bone marrow cells. However, they have a higher risk of certain complications, such as GVHD. Youll also probably need to be put onmedications to suppress your immune system so that your body doesnt attack the new cells. This can leave you susceptible to illness.

The success of an allogeneic transplant depends on how closely the donor cells match your own.

Prior to your transplant, youll undergo several tests to discover what type of bone marrow cells you need.

You may also undergo radiation or chemotherapy to kill off all cancer cells or marrow cells before you get the new stem cells.

Bone marrow transplants take up to a week. Therefore, you must make arrangements before your first transplant session. These can include:

During treatments, your immune system will be compromised, affecting its ability to fight infections. Therefore, youll stay in a special section of the hospital thats reserved for people receiving bone marrow transplants. This reduces your risk of being exposed to anything that could cause an infection.

Dont hesitate to bring a list of questions to ask your doctor. You can write down the answers or bring a friend to listen and take notes. Its important that you feel comfortable and confident before the procedure and that all of your questions are answered thoroughly.

Some hospitals have counselors available to talk with patients. The transplant process can be emotionally taxing. Talking to a professional can help you through this process.

When your doctor thinks youre ready, youll have the transplant. The procedure is similar to a blood transfusion.

If youre having an allogeneic transplant, bone marrow cells will be harvested from your donor a day or two before your procedure. If your own cells are being used, theyll be retrieved from the stem cell bank.

Cells are collected in two ways.

During a bone marrow harvest, cells are collected from both hipbones through a needle. Youre under anesthesia for this procedure, meaning youll be asleep and free of any pain.

During leukapheresis, a donor is given five shots to help the stem cells move from the bone marrow and into the bloodstream. Blood is then drawn through an intravenous (IV) line, and a machine separates out the white blood cells that contain stem cells.

A needle called a central venous catheter, or a port, will be installed on the upper right portion of your chest. This allows the fluid containing the new stem cells to flow directly into your heart. The stem cells then disperse throughout your body. They flow through your blood and into the bone marrow. Theyll become established there and begin to grow.

The port is left in place because the bone marrow transplant is done over several sessions for a few days. Multiple sessions give the new stem cells the best chance to integrate themselves into your body. That process is known as engraftment.

Through this port, youll also receive blood transfusions, liquids, and possibly nutrients. You may need medications to fight off infections and help the new marrow grow. This depends on how well you handle the treatments.

During this time, youll be closely monitored for any complications.

The success of a bone marrow transplant is primarily dependent on how closely the donor and recipient genetically match. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to find a good match among unrelated donors.

The state of your engraftment will be regularly monitored. Its generally complete between 10 and 28 days after the initial transplant. The first sign of engraftment is a rising white blood cell count. This shows that the transplant is starting to make new blood cells.

Typical recovery time for a bone marrow transplant is about three months. However, it may take up to a year for you to recover fully. Recovery depends on numerous factors, including:

Theres a possibility that some of the symptoms you experience after the transplant will remain with you for the rest of your life.

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Bone Marrow Transplant: Types, Procedure & Risks - Healthline

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