Who benefits from a bone marrow transplant?

Besides donating blood, many people also selflessly choose to donate stem cells. This lifesaving act is critical for patients diagnosed with leukemia and other serious bone marrow–related conditions.

Bone marrow transplant and stem cell transplant are often used interchangeably because stem cells are primarily collected from the bone marrow of a healthy donor.

Bone marrow is the soft tissue located in the center of bones. It performs a vital role by producing blood cells — red cells that carry oxygen, white cells that fight infection and platelets that help blood clot after injury.

“Leukemia is a cancer of the blood,” explains Dr. Yogesh Jethava, a hematologist at Advocate Health Care. “It begins in the bone marrow, where leukemia cells rapidly grow and replace normal blood cells. This means the body can no longer produce healthy blood cells to function properly.”

As a result, people may develop symptoms such as fatigue from anemia, frequent infections due to a weakened immune system, abnormal bleeding or bruising, and bone pain.

The role of bone or stem cell transplants

Dr. Jethava says a bone marrow/stem cell transplant is often used to treat leukemia and other blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma or lymphoma. There are two types of transplants based on how the healthy bone marrow is collected:

• Autologous transplant: Uses your own previously collected stem cells.
• Allogeneic transplant: Uses stem cells from a donor.

These new healthy stem cells are infused into the bloodstream through a central line. Once infused, they migrate to the bone marrow and begin producing new, healthy blood cells.

Preparing for the transplant

“Before a bone marrow transplant can take place, the body must be prepared to receive the healthy cells,” Dr. Jethava notes. “This process typically involves chemotherapy or radiation to destroy leukemia cells.”

Following the transplant, patients usually remain hospitalized for several weeks. During this time, health care providers manage side effects, provide fluids and give blood transfusions if needed. Infection prevention is also a top priority throughout recovery given the person’s weakened immune system.

What determines success?

Dr. Jethava says the success rate of a bone marrow transplant depends on several factors, including:

• The condition being treated
• Patient’s age and overall health
• Genetic compatibility with the donor
• The type of transplant performed
• Possible complications during recovery

To achieve the best long-term outcomes, regular follow-up with a hematologist-oncologist is essential.

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