Risks and benefits of Bone Marrow Transplant

Verified by Dr. Punit Jain, Consultant Hematology, Apollo Cancer Centres Navi Mumbai.

A bone marrow transplant (BMT), also known as a stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure that involves replacing damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. This procedure is used to treat a variety of conditions, including  leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood and bone marrow disorders.

As with any medical procedure, there are risks and benefits associated with bone marrow transplants. Here are some of the most important ones to consider:

Risks

A Bone marrow transplant is a complex procedure done under expert care. The risks and complications after a BMT can be managed effectively with a multidisciplinary team approach. Some of the potential risks include:

• Infection: Patients who undergo bone marrow transplants are at increased risk of infection due to the destruction of the immune system.
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): In some cases, the donor’s immune system may recognize the recipient’s cells as foreign and attack them, causing GVHD, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
• Side effects: The chemotherapy and radiation used to prepare for the transplant can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue.
• Failure to engraft: In some cases, the donor cells may not engraft, or take hold in the recipient’s body, which can lead to treatment failure.
• Relapse: In some cases, the disease may return after a bone marrow transplant.

Although a bone marrow transplant procedure comes with certain risks, the benefits provided definitely overcome the risks to a greater extent. Bone marrow transplant is the only known cure for conditions like Thalassemia and is therefore considered a life-saving procedure. Some of the important benefits include

Benefits

• Cure for some diseases: Bone marrow transplants can cure certain diseases that are otherwise difficult to treat, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
• Replaces diseased marrow: The transplant replaces the diseased or damaged marrow with healthy marrow, which can lead to improved immune function and overall health.
• Long-term survival: Some patients who undergo bone marrow transplant can have a higher chance at long-term survival and may return to normal activities.

It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of a bone marrow transplant with a qualified medical professional-Bone marrow transplant physician before undergoing the procedure. With proper planning and care, however, a bone marrow transplant can be a life-saving procedure for many patients.

We at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai have an advanced, fully equipped Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a highly qualified multidisciplinary team comprising BMT physicians, ICU team, infectious disease specialist, BMT trained nurses, resident personnel and round-the-clock support from the blood bank and laboratory.

Get in touch with our BMT physicians to know more about BMT.

Contact 022 6280 6280 or visit Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai for more details.

Anemia Clinic at Apollo Cancer Centres, Navi Mumbai offers expertise for the early diagnosis & treatment of anemia & its complications.

Consult our expert, Dr. Punit Jain, Consultant Hematology, Apollo Cancer Centres Navi Mumbai for the management of anemia, complex blood disorders and use of BMT in the treatment of raare anemias.

Contact 022 6280 6280 or visit Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai for more details.