A bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which a bone marrow that is damaged either due to infection or post-chemotherapy is replaced by a donor bone marrow.
Is a Bone Marrow Transplant Successful?
The fundamental criteria behind failure or success rate of a bone marrow transplant are based on whether the donor and the recipient are matched genetically. Typically, the success rate of BMT in India is around 60 - 70% for allogeneic bone marrow transplant. It is said that if a person is able to survive for 5 years after the transplant, the probability of living for another 15 years is very high. The recovery of the bone marrow transplant depends on the following factors:
- Previous condition of the patient
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Genetic match with the donor
- Where is transplant done
2-year-old Hasan Ibrahim from Sudan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia soon after he took birth. He was ultimately treated successfully with a bone marrow transplant in India. He has now recovered well. To read his complete story, click here.
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What are the Long Term Side Effects of a Bone Marrow Transplant?
Possible complications associated with the bone marrow transplant
- Lowering of blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Pain
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Nosebleed
- Diarrhea
- Graft-versus-host disease**
- Infection
- Sores in the mouth
- Damage to the vital organs
- Stomach upset
- Cataract
- Early menopause
** Graft-versus-host disease is a disease of the immune system which may occur after the transplant procedure in which the immune cells from the donor attack the recipient or the host tissue.
What Happens Just After a Bone Marrow Transplant?
The new cells enter into the body and travel to the bone marrow. Within some time they begin to proliferate and start making new cells. This process is known as engraftment. Generally, it takes several weeks before the number of blood cells returns to normal count. After that, the patient is asked to have blood tests and other monitoring.
Sometimes the patients may need a periodic transfusion of red blood cells and platelets until the bone marrow begins to produce the cells on its own.
A bone marrow transplant is done to cure certain diseases, especially which are genetic. The side effects or complications may differ from patient to patient. Some have short term symptoms while others have long-term or chronic risks.
What is the Difference Between Allogeneic and Autologous BMT?
In allogeneic BMT, the donor and recipient are two separate people. The donor is usually a sibling where the donor is HLA matched. It may also be an unrelated match where the donor is not related to the patient.
In autologous BMT, the procedure is done by using a patient’s own blood cells. High dose of chemotherapy is given to treat the primary disease. Then the transplant is conducted to protect the damage bone marrow. This involves minimum complications and done to treat diseases like multiple myeloma.
Who Can be a Bone Marrow Donor Match?
The maximum chance for HLA typing match is from the siblings. They are the first priority. After the siblings, the next match is possible with the parents or the children. There is a half HLA match with the mother and half with the father. Other relatives have a lesser chance of getting the HLA matched.
What is the Cost of BMT in India?
The bone marrow transplant has come up with the most promising solution to severe complex and untreatable conditions. Even though it is an expensive process, the bone marrow transplant cost in India is much lesser as compared to the other countries. In India, it usually ranges from 18,000 USD to 22,000 USD.
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