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Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) is one of the most effective treatment options for cancers of the blood and bone marrow, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The first successful Bone Marrow Transplantation was performed as early as the 1970s by Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, and his work earned him a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The world of medicine and cancer treatment, in particular, has come a long way since then, thanks to the technological advancements of the late 20th century and the early 21st century.
Today, Bone Marrow Transplantation stands as a beacon of hope for the scores of patients battling blood cancers around the globe. Our blog explores the intricacies of this life-saving treatment, starting from understanding the vital role of bone marrow in the human body and how the transplants work in cancer treatment to life expectancy and survivorship post-transplant.
Bone marrow is the soft and spongy substance present in the centre of most bones in the human body. They contain hematopoietic stem cells which produce blood cells – white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
There are two types of bone marrow that can be found in humans – red bone marrow and yellow bone marrow. Red bone marrow is the type of bone marrow that is found primarily in children, is rich in stem cells and thus produces most of the blood cells in our body. Yellow blood marrow, on the other hand, hosts a lot less stem cells and is made mostly of fat. However, one unique aspect of yellow bone marrow is that it can convert into red bone marrow in times of extreme need. These situations include an infection, or blood loss.
Blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma affect different blood cells and bone marrow. In order to treat such cancers, the affected cells are destroyed through radiation or chemotherapy. However, since bone marrow performs such a vital process – producing blood cells – this is cause for much concern.
Bone Marrow Transplantation is thus a lifeline for those dealing with blood cancer. It replaces the damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow which can then replenish the body’s supply of blood cells. The following section discusses this groundbreaking medical procedure in detail.
Also known as stem cell transplantation, Bone Marrow Transplantation is a procedure used to replace stem cells that have been damaged or destroyed by cancer itself or by a treatment used to treat it such as chemotherapy or radiation. When replaced with healthy bone marrow, BMT helps restore the production of blood cells in the body.
There are two major types of Bone Marrow Transplants – autologous and allogeneic transplants.
Autologous Transplant
This type of BMT involves collecting healthy stem cells from patients before they undergo high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Later, when cancer is effectively treated by such methods, the collected stem cells are reintroduced into the body and go on to produce healthy blood cells.
Allogeneic Transplant
This type of BMT is generally resorted to when there is no possibility of harvesting healthy stem cells from the patient themselves. In such a scenario, stem cells from a matched stem cell donor, such as a sibling or parent or someone from a national bone marrow registry, is used. Once infused into the patient’s body, these healthy stem cells travel to the bone marrow and start producing the much-needed blood cells.
Although Bone Marrow Transplantation is most commonly used to treat blood cancers, it is also used to treat certain other diseases that impair bone marrow function or affect blood cells. These include the following:
Survivorship and life expectancy rates after Bone Marrow Transplantation have increased significantly in recent years, with current survival rates as high as 80%. Patients who tested negative for small amounts of cancer after treatment (minimal residual disease or MRD), have a leukaemia-free survival rate of 83% an overall survival rate of 92%. In addition to improving survival rates, BMT can also help prevent relapse in certain patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Are you or a loved one going through a blood cancer diagnosis? Remember, you deserve exceptional and compassionate cancer care. At Apollo Cancer Centres, we leverage cutting-edge advancements such as Bone Marrow Transplantation to offer the best treatment options for blood cancers. Our experienced oncologists prioritize minimizing side effects and pain while achieving the best possible results. Schedule a personalized consultation at your nearest Apollo Cancer Centre to learn more about our comprehensive blood cancer care.