Bone marrow transplants

What we’ll cover here?

This topic reviews bone marrow transplants and different types of stem cell transplants that are used to treat cancer. We will outline what a transplant is like for most people, and some of the issues that come with it. We will also briefly cover what it’s like to donate stem cells.

• What are stem cells and why are they transplanted?

• When do people need stem cell transplants?

• Types of stem cell transplants for treating cancer.

• Autologous stem cell transplant

  • Getting rid of cancer cells in autologous transplants‘

• Allogeneic bone marrow transplant

  • Non-myeloablative or mini-transplants (allogeneic)
  • Syngeneic stem cell transplant
    • The importance of a matched donor
    • HLA matching
    • Finding a match

• Sources of stem cells for transplant

  • Which stem cell source is best?

• Allogeneic transplant

  • The importance of a matched donor
  • HLA matching
  • Finding a match

• If you want to donate stem cells

  • Informed consent and further testing:
  • Before the donation
  • How bone marrow stem cells are collected
  • How peripheral blood stem cells are collected
  • How umbilical cord blood is collected

• The transplant process

  • Patient evaluation and preparation
  • Hospital admission
  • Conditioning treatment
  • Infusion of stem cells
  • Recovery
  • Discharge
  • Rehabilitation

• Problems that may come up shortly after transplant

  • Infection
  • Bleeding and transfusions
  • Interstitial pneumonitis and other lung problems

• Graft-versus-host disease

  • Acute GVHD
  • Chronic GVHD
  • Hepatic veno-occlusive disease
  • Graft failure

• After-transplant problems that may show up later

  •  Organ problems
  • Cancer relapse 
  • Secondary (new) cancers

• Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder

• Know more about bone marrow transplant

  • Stem cell transplant and having children
  • Weigh the risks before transplant
  • Other issues related to transplants 
  • Cost of transplant
  • Saving your newborn’s umbilical cord blood for later
  • What questions should I ask my doctor before transplant?

bone marrow transplants