If you or a loved one is in need of a bone marrow transplant, you want only the best in care. WMCHealth’s highly skilled, multidisciplinary team is internationally recognized for its bone marrow transplant program. As an academic medical center, WMCHealth is at the forefront of the science driving care—always aiming to pioneer the most effective treatments and cures with clinical trials and research.
The Adult and Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at WMCHealth draws children and adults from around the country to receive this innovative treatment.
What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant?
A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, introduces healthy stem cells into your body to help you produce more healthy blood cells or replace cancerous, abnormal, or damaged stem cells.
Types of Bone Marrow Transplants
There are two different types of bone marrow transplants:
- Autologous transplant: Uses your own healthy blood stem cells to replace those that are not working properly
- Allogeneic transplant: Uses healthy blood stem cells from a donor
When Is a Bone Marrow Transplant Needed?
A bone marrow transplant may benefit people by:
- Replacing bone marrow that is unhealthy
- Helping to kill cancer cells directly
- Safely allowing other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation
Bone marrow transplants help people with a wide range of cancerous and noncancerous diseases, including:
- Neuroblastomas
- Multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Hemoglobinopathies
- Immune deficiencies
- Autoimmune diseases
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
- Bone marrow failure syndromes
- Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Do Bone Marrow Transplants Have Risks?
As with every medical procedure, there are risks. Risks of bone marrow transplants depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Age
- Overall health
- Type of transplant
- Disease or condition
Some possible risks may include:
- Infertility
- Cataracts
- Infections
- Organ damage
- Graft-versus-host disease
WMCHealth’s care teams will discuss the risks you may face and will work with you to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
How to Prepare for a Bone Marrow Transplant
If it is determined that you may benefit from a bone marrow transplant, you will need to have a series of tests to see if you are healthy enough to undergo the transplant process. Some tests may include:
- EKG
- CT scan
- Blood tests
- Echocardiogram
- Complete blood count
- Biopsy to study cancer cells
If your test results indicate that you are eligible for a transplant, you will then begin a conditioning process. During this conditioning, you may undergo chemotherapy, radiation, or both. The purpose of this process is to:
- Destroy cancer cells from spreading if you are being treated for cancer
- Suppress your immune system so your body doesn’t reject or attack the new stem cells
- Prepare your bone marrow to receive new stem cells
This conditioning process can have many side effects, but you may be able to take medications that reduce them. You may also be able to receive a reduced-intensity conditioning process.
What to Expect During a Bone Marrow Transplant
Once the conditioning process is complete, the transplant procedure is done through a central line. It’s painless, and you will be awake for this procedure.
After the transplant, the new healthy blood cells will begin to multiply. This process will take several weeks, and you will need to be closely monitored during this time. You’ll also need medication to manage side effects and complications. As you’ll be at greater risk of infection, your doctor will schedule regular check-ups to monitor your condition.