Sarvesh Health City

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A stem cell transplant has the potential to treat and perhaps cure some blood problems, malignancies, and autoimmune diseases. The method involves replacing unhealthy stem cells with healthy ones. Your provider may obtain healthy stem cells from your bone marrow. Alternatively, they could use donated stem cells from another person. 

At Sarvesh Health City, we thoroughly evaluate each patient’s condition to determine whether a bone marrow transplant in Hisar is necessary. In this article, we will learn about the many forms of marrow transplants.

What is a stem cell transplant?

Stem cells in the bone marrow produce blood. Healthcare providers may harvest them and return them to you following chemotherapy (autologous stem cell transplant). In other cases, physicians take them from a donor and give them to someone who has malignant, aberrant, or damaged stem cells (allogeneic stem cell transplant). Autologous stem cell transplants are utilized to treat various cancers, blood problems, and autoimmune diseases.

The majority of transplants employ peripheral blood stem cells (immature stem cells in your bloodstream). However, some use bone marrow or umbilical cord blood stem cells. If you need a stem cell transplant, your doctor may utilize your own healthy stem cells or donated stem cells.

Types of stem cell (bone marrow) transplants

There are two types:

  • Allogeneic stem cell transplant
  • Autologous stem cell transplant
  • Haploidentical Transplant

Autologous stem cell transplants occur slightly more frequently than allogeneic stem cell transplants.

Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant

It utilizes the patient’s own healthy bone marrow cells. These cells are harvested, frozen, and then reintroduced after intensive treatment to remove diseased cells.

  • Commonly used to treat blood cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
  • The patient’s stem cells are collected, and then high-dose chemotherapy or radiation is used to kill diseased cells. The stored cells are then reinfused to stimulate healthy blood cell production.
  • The body recognizes its own cells, reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
  • Risks include the reintroduction of any remaining cancer cells, as well as an increased risk of disease relapse.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

It employs stem cells from a donor whose tissue type is similar to the recipient’s. The graft-versus-cancer effect occurs when this surgery stimulates an immune response that aids in the destruction of leftover cancer cells.

  • Allogeneic transplants are primarily utilized to treat severe cases of leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
  • Stem cells are collected from a compatible donor (i.e, Family member or bone marrow registries.
  • Graft-versus-cancer effect reduces cancer recurrence by targeting remaining cancer cells.
  • Risks include an increased risk of GVHD, which occurs when donor cells attack patient tissues, as well as potential infections and transplant rejection.

Haploidentical Transplant

A haploidentical transplant is an allogeneic procedure in which a partially matched family member, such as a parent or sibling, donates stem cells. This form of transplant has expanded the donor pool and increased therapeutic accessibility.

  • The use of half-matched donors significantly increases the pool of potential donors.
  • The use of half-matched donors carries a higher risk of complications, such as GVHD and infection, due to their partial tissue compatibility.
  • The process entails aggressive chemotherapy or radiation therapy, succeeded by stem cell infusion.
  • Progress in immunosuppressive strategies has decreased the risk of GVHD, thereby enhancing the feasibility of haploidentical transplants for patients lacking fully matched donors.

How successful are stem cell (bone marrow) transplants?

It depends on several factors, including:

  • Type of condition you have
  • Whether you have early- or late-stage disease
  • Whether you’ve had previous cancer treatments
  • Your age
  • Your body’s healing capacity

Benefits and Risks 

Stem cell transplants may help cure or delay certain blood malignancies or blood diseases that have not responded to conventional forms of treatment. The greatest risk is that you will undergo the operation only to discover that your donated stem cells are unable to halt or eliminate your sickness. Cancer can return after a stem cell transplant. However, it is less likely to occur over time.

Complications 

The potential implications vary depending on your overall health, age, and previous treatment, including pre-transplant chemotherapy (conditioning). If you are considering getting a stem cell transplant, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is more likely to result in the following complications:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Fungal infection
  • Graft vs. host disease (GvHD)
  • Viral infections

Recovery 

It depends on the sort of stem cell transplant you received. People who get autologous stem cell transplantation often recover in two months. It may take many months to a year to fully recover from an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Your healthcare practitioner may advise you to stay in or near the hospital or treatment facility for the first 100 days following your surgery.

Is there anything I can do to ease this treatment?

A successful stem cell transplant can treat your ailment or delay its progression. However, the metamorphosis does not happen overnight. It may take a year for you to recover. Here are some things that can help you in the meantime:

  • You, baby, have skin. 
  • Eat healthy meals. 
  • Protect yourself from infection. 
  • Take proper care of your teeth. 
  • Take it straight. 
  • Promote your mental health. 

When should I call my doctor?

Inform your provider if you experience any of the following symptoms while recovering from your stem cell transplant:

  • Chills
  • Coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose
  • Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
  • Painful urination
  • Dizziness
  • Rash
  • Shortness of breath

Conclusion

Patients must speak with a trained transplant team because every kind of bone marrow transplant has different advantages and factors to take into account. For more information, please visit Sarvesh Health City, Bone Marrow Transplant in Hisar.

FAQs

Q1. Who can benefit from a bone marrow transplant?

Ans. A person with leukemia, lymphoma, or immune system disorders may benefit from bone marrow transplants.

Q2. What is the best age for a bone marrow transplantation?

Ans. Age influences the type and procedure of a transplant. Younger patients may tolerate higher doses of therapy, whereas specific protocols are designed for older patients. 

Q3. Lifestyle changes improve transplant recovery and success?

Ans.  Healthy diet, daily exercise, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco can all help with transplant recovery and success.

Q4. Difference between bone marrow and stem cell transplants?

Ans.  Only bone marrow cells are used in a bone marrow transplant; on the other hand, in a stem cell transplant, stem cells from peripheral blood or umbilical cord blood may be used, depending on the treatment.

Q5. How does a bone marrow transplant work?

Ans.  The damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells, which develop into new marrow and produce the blood cells necessary.

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HEMATO-ONCOLOGIST & BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT

Consult Dr. Meet Kumar, the best hematologist in Hisar at Sarvesh Health City! Expert care for blood disorders and personalized treatment plans.