Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), also called hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, is a medical procedure that replaces damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells. It is often used to treat cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other blood or immune system disorders.
What Is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones that produces blood cells:
- Red blood cells (carry oxygen)
- White blood cells (fight infection)
- Platelets (help with clotting)
When the marrow is damaged by disease, chemotherapy, or radiation, it may no longer function properly—this is when a transplant may be needed.
Types of Bone Marrow Transplant
- Autologous Transplant
- Uses the patient’s own stem cells, collected before high-dose chemotherapy or radiation, and returned afterward.
- Often used for conditions like lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
- Allogeneic Transplant
- Uses stem cells from a donor, usually a sibling or a matched unrelated donor.
- Provides healthy new stem cells but carries risks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
- Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant
- Uses stem cells from donated umbilical cord blood.
- Useful for patients without a matched donor.
How the Procedure Works
- Conditioning Treatment
The patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to destroy diseased cells and suppress the immune system. - Stem Cell Infusion
Healthy stem cells are infused through a vein, similar to a blood transfusion. - Engraftment
Over weeks, the transplanted stem cells travel to the bone marrow and start producing new blood cells. Successful engraftment restores healthy blood and immune function.
Risks and Complications
- Infections due to a weakened immune system
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic transplants
- Organ damage from high-dose treatments
- Rejection of transplanted cells in some cases
Recovery and Outlook
Recovery takes several months, and patients are closely monitored. Many can return to normal activities, but ongoing follow-up is needed. For some conditions, BMT offers the best chance of cure or long-term remission.
Source: National Cancer Institute – Bone Marrow Transplant
Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options tailored to your condition.
