A stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, is a medical procedure that replaces a patient's damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This treatment is commonly used in the treatment of various blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Stem cell transplant works by first destroying the patient's diseased bone marrow with high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Once the diseased bone marrow is destroyed, healthy stem cells are transplanted into the patient's body, where they can begin to produce new blood cells.

Stem cell transplant is a complex procedure that requires specialized expertise and infrastructure. At Sterling Hospitals Ahmedabad, we have a dedicated stem cell transplant team that includes hematologists/oncologists, transplant nurses, and other healthcare professionals who work together to provide comprehensive care for our patients.

While stem cell transplant can be an effective treatment option for certain blood cancers, it can also cause side effects, such as infections, bleeding, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Our team is experienced in managing these side effects and providing supportive care to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with blood cancer, contact us at Sterling Hospitals Ahmedabad to learn more about our stem cell transplant services and how we can help in your cancer journey

What is a bone marrow transplant?
A blood or marrow transplant (BMT) is a treatment option for people with a blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, or a blood disorder, like sickle cell disease.

How does a blood or marrow transplant (BMT) work?
A blood or marrow transplant (BMT) replaces unhealthy blood-forming cells with healthy ones. Blood-forming cells (blood stem cells) are immature cells that grow into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. They’re found in the soft tissue inside your bones, called bone marrow. When they’re mature, they leave the marrow and enter the bloodstream.

Before transplant, you get chemotherapy (chemo) and sometimes radiation to destroy the diseased cells and marrow. Then, the healthy cells are given to you.

BMT is not surgery. The new cells go into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) catheter or tube. It’s just like getting blood or medicine through an IV. From there, the cells find their way into your marrow.. It can take months or years to recover from BMT. Learn more about what to expect before, during and after BMT.

Where do the healthy cells come from?
The healthy blood-forming cells used in a transplant can come from three sources:

• Bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), and cord blood. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside of bones where blood-forming cells are produced.
• PBSCs are blood-forming cells that can be collected from the circulating blood.
• Cord blood refers to the blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born.

All three sources can be used in bone marrow transplantation depending on the patient's specific needs and medical condition.

What are the different types of BMT?
There are two main types of bone marrow transplants (BMT): autologous and allogeneic. An autologous transplant involves using the patient's own blood-forming cells, while an allogeneic transplant uses blood-forming cells donated by someone else.

Within allogeneic transplants, there are several subtypes:

• Matched related donor (MRD): the donor is a close family member (such as a sibling) who has a closely matched human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type.
• Matched unrelated donor (MUD): the donor is not related to the patient but has a closely matched HLA type. The donor is typically found through a registry.
• Haploidentical donor: the donor is a half-match, usually a parent or child. This type of transplant is also called a haplo transplant.

Other terms you may hear include:

• Allo transplant: short for allogeneic transplant
• Auto transplant: short for autologous transplant
• SCT: short for stem cell transplant
• HCT: short for hematopoietic cell transplant.

Which type of transplant is best for me?
Determining which type of transplant is best for an individual patient depends on several factors, including the type of disease or disorder being treated, the stage and severity of the disease, the patient's age and overall health, and the availability of suitable donors.

The decision regarding the type of transplant to be performed is made by a team of medical experts, including a hematologist, an oncologist, a transplant surgeon, and other healthcare professionals. They will evaluate the patient's medical history, conduct a physical examination, and perform various tests to determine the best treatment plan for the patient.

If you are considering a bone marrow transplant, it is recommended that you consult with a hematologist or oncologist Sterling Hospitals Ahmedabad, where a team of experienced healthcare professionals can provide you with comprehensive evaluation, guindace, and treatment options based on your individual needs and circumstances.

What diseases can BMT treat?
A bone marrow transplant (BMT) can be used to treat various types of cancers and non-cancerous blood disorders. Some of the cancers that can be treated with a BMT include:

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Neuroblastoma
• Hodgkin's disease
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
• Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)

Non-cancerous blood disorders that can be treated with a BMT include:

• Sickle cell anemia
• Aplastic anemia
• Thalassemia
• Fanconi anemia
• Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)

It is important to note that a bone marrow transplant is not the first treatment option for all of these diseases and disorders. The suitability of a BMT as a treatment option depends on various factors, including the stage and severity of the disease, the patient's age and overall health, and the availability of a suitable donor. The decision to undergo a BMT should be made in consultation with a medical professional.