Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplants: A Lifeline for Damaged Marrow
A bone marrow transplant, a medical procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy blood stem cells, has two main types: autologous and allogeneic. The latter, involving an unrelated or matched donor, is the focus here. The donor's stem cells, genetically different from the recipient, are collected and infused to help the body produce white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells.
The process begins with preparation, including tests, radiation or chemotherapy to make space for the new cells. The donor's stem cells are collected through bone marrow harvest or leukapheresis, then infused into the recipient's bloodstream via a central venous catheter or port. Post-transplant, the new cells start creating blood cells, preventing infections, bleeding disorders, or anemia. However, complications can arise, such as graft-versus-host disease, graft failure, bleeding, cataracts, organ damage, early menopause, anemia, infections, and mucositis.
Bone marrow transplants using cells from an unrelated or matched donor offer hope to patients with chronic infections, diseases, or cancer treatments that have compromised their marrow's health. Despite potential complications, the procedure helps restore the body's ability to produce essential blood cells, fighting infections and preventing bleeding disorders or anemia.
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