Glossary term · Treatment
Bone marrow transplant (also: BMT, Stem cell transplant, Haematopoietic stem cell transplant): A bone marrow transplant replaces blood-forming stem cells destroyed by high-dose treatment, using the patient’s own cells or cells from a matched donor.
A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, restores blood-forming stem cells destroyed by very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation. The US National Cancer Institute explains that the cells can be your own (autologous), from a donor (allogeneic) or from an identical twin (syngeneic). Donors are matched using HLA testing.
What are the types?
- Autologous: your own stem cells are collected and returned after high-dose treatment.
- Allogeneic: stem cells come from a related or unrelated donor who is a close enough match.
- Syngeneic: stem cells come from an identical twin.
NCI says the more HLA proteins you share with a donor, the more likely your body is to accept the cells. A brother or sister is most often the closest match. Matching tests are covered under HLA typing.
What happens during a transplant?
NCI describes conditioning first, with high-dose chemotherapy, sometimes with radiation. The stem cells are then given through an IV catheter, like a blood transfusion. Blood counts are checked often while the new cells start making blood cells. Full immune recovery takes several months after an autologous transplant and one to two years after an allogeneic one.
What are the main risks?
NCI lists short-term effects such as infection, bleeding, mouth sores and fatigue, and long-term effects such as infertility and organ damage. After an allogeneic transplant, graft-versus-host disease can occur, when donor cells attack the patient’s tissues.
Why does it need so much planning for travellers?
NCI explains that patients who do not live near the transplant centre need nearby accommodation. They visit the hospital often after discharge. It says that, if there are no problems, patients may go home about 100 days after receiving donor cells. Plan for a long stay, a reliable attendant and, for allogeneic transplants, donor testing and travel.
Questions people ask
Can my sibling travel to India as my donor?
For allogeneic transplants a sibling is often tested first. The donor will need medical tests and a visa. Ask the transplant centre which tests can be done at home before travel and which documents are needed for the donor.
Is a bone marrow transplant only for cancer?
NCI’s guidance focuses on cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Transplants are also used for some other blood disorders. The haematologist decides whether a transplant is appropriate.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. Your treating specialist decides on suitability, treatment and length of stay. How we write and check.