Bone marrow transplantation is the process of transferring the bone marrow of a healthy donor to the patient’s body in patients whose bone marrow production is impaired for various reasons. It is used in the treatment of bone marrow transplantation, leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome and some genetic diseases.
In bone marrow transplantation, since the donor’s bone marrow cells must be compatible with the patient’s bone marrow cells, a genetically compatible donor must be found. If a suitable donor cannot be found, appropriately processed bone marrow cells from their own bone marrow cells can be transplanted. This process is called autogenous bone marrow transplant.
Bone marrow transplantation is a very serious procedure, and the recovery period of patients can be long and difficult. However, when performed in appropriate patients, bone marrow transplantation can be an important option in cancer treatment.
Who can have a bone marrow transplant?
Bone marrow transplants are usually performed on patients with bone marrow damage, such as blood cancer, lymphoma, or other blood disorders. However, certain criteria must be met in order for bone marrow transplantation to be performed.
Bone marrow transplant is usually recommended in the following situations:
- Blood cancer: Blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma may be candidates for a bone marrow transplant.
- Bone marrow failure: In some cases, the bone marrow cannot produce enough blood cells. In this case, a bone marrow transplant may be required.
- Genetic diseases: Hereditary blood diseases may be an option for a bone marrow transplant.
- Chemotherapy: Bone marrow cells can be damaged during chemotherapy treatment. In this case, a bone marrow transplant can be done.
However, certain criteria must be met in order for bone marrow transplantation to be performed. These criteria include the availability of a suitable donor, the patient’s general health, and the completion of other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy prior to transplantation.
In short, a bone marrow transplant may be an option for patients with bone marrow damage such as blood cancer, lymphoma, or other blood disorders. However, appropriate criteria must be met for bone marrow transplantation.
What are the criteria for bone marrow transplantation?
Many factors are considered in determining suitable candidates for bone marrow transplant. Here are some of the required criteria for a bone marrow transplant:
- Presence of a serious disease such as blood cancer, lymphoma or other blood diseases: Bone marrow transplant is often used to treat patients with bone marrow damage.
- Finding a suitable donor: It is necessary to have a suitable donor to perform a bone marrow transplant. These donors can often be related or not fully matched marrow bank donors.
- Appropriate general health status of the patient: Bone marrow transplant is a serious operation and the general health status of the patient must be suitable.
- Completion of other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy before the transplant: A bone marrow transplant is usually done after other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy have been completed.
- Appropriate age of the patient: Bone marrow transplantation is usually recommended for young or middle-aged patients. In elderly patients, bone marrow transplantation may be risky.
- The patient’s body is healthy enough to accept the transplant: The patient must undergo a medical evaluation before the bone marrow transplant. In this evaluation, it is determined whether the patient is in sufficient physical condition for transplantation.
In short, determining the appropriate criteria for bone marrow transplantation includes many factors such as the patient’s general health status, the severity of the disease, finding a suitable donor, and completion of other treatments.
How is a bone marrow biopsy done?
Bone marrow biopsy is the process of taking a sample of bone marrow with the help of a needle. The procedure is usually performed on the patient’s hipbone area or the upper part of the breastbone. You can review the steps below on how to do the process:
- The patient is properly prepared for the procedure. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, so the patient may need to get a needle to numb the area.
- A suitable area for the biopsy is determined. Usually the hipbone area is preferred, but sometimes the upper part of the breastbone can also be used.
- The skin is sterilized and the needle is inserted into the skin. The needle is directed towards the bone marrow and a needle tip is inserted into the marrow area to obtain a sample.
- The needle is inserted into the bone marrow site and a small sample is withdrawn from the bone marrow site.
- Several samples may be taken during the procedure. This can be used for genetic testing as well as pathological investigations.
- After the procedure, the area is sterilized and covered with a bandage.
A bone marrow biopsy usually takes a few minutes and for most patients it does not cause any pain other than mild discomfort. However, like any medical procedure, it has potential risks and side effects. That’s why it’s important to discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor prior to the procedure.
How is a bone marrow transplant done?
Bone marrow transplantation is the process of taking bone marrow cells from the bone marrow source (donor) and giving them to the patient (recipient) with bone marrow failure, usually in cases such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other bone marrow diseases. The bone marrow transplant procedure usually includes the following stages:
- A suitable donor is found for bone marrow transplantation: It is necessary to find a suitable donor for bone marrow transplantation, determine the tissue compatibility between the donor and the recipient, and the donor candidate must be in a position to donate bone marrow.
- Obtained from a bone marrow source: The donor candidate donates bone marrow by removing bone marrow cells from the bone marrow source, usually with the aid of a wide needle. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes 1-2 hours.
- Preparing the patient for a bone marrow transplant: The patient to be transplanted may need to be exposed to treatments that can kill bone marrow cells, such as high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These treatments allow cells from the donor to be accepted by suppressing the recipient’s immune system to prevent the bone marrow cells from being rejected by the recipient’s immune system.
- Bone marrow transplant: Bone marrow transplant is usually done through a vein. To enable the recipient to accept the donor cells, immunosuppressive drugs are given after the donor cells are given. These drugs prevent the recipient’s immune system from rejecting the donor cells.
The bone marrow transplant procedure is a complex and risky procedure and involves many steps that must be followed carefully. After the procedure, the recipient’s immune system may react against the donor cells and some complications may occur. Therefore, bone marrow transplantation should be performed only for suitable candidates and with careful management.
What are the points to be considered after bone marrow transplantation?
Because a bone marrow transplant is a serious procedure, there are some important considerations that the recipient should pay attention to during the healing process. These are:
- Paying attention to hygiene rules to prevent infections: After a bone marrow transplant, the recipient is more vulnerable to infections because their immune system is weakened. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to hygiene rules, especially being strict about hand washing, for the prevention of infections.
- Being mindful of diet: After a bone marrow transplant, it may be necessary to avoid certain foods and beverages, as the recipient’s immune system has not yet fully recovered. The buyer should follow the recommendations of his doctor about nutrition and pay attention to the hygiene rules.
- Regular follow-up and control: After a bone marrow transplant, the recipient should be followed up and checked regularly. This helps detect and treat potential infections or other complications early.
- Paying attention to activity level: After a bone marrow transplant, the recipient should follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding physical activities. Physical activities can lead to the development of complications that have negative effects on the recipient’s immune system and healing process.
- Getting psychological support: After a bone marrow transplant, the recipient may need psychological support. This process can be a long and stressful recovery process. A support group or therapists can help the recipient better manage this process.
For these reasons, after bone marrow transplantation, the recipient should strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations, have regular follow-ups and controls, pay attention to the hygiene rules, pay attention to his nutrition, and adjust the activity level according to the doctor’s recommendations.
