The rate of bone marrow transplant has increased in the last few years, although it is not as much as is needed. It is done in diseases related to blood disorders and leukemia. Let us know what is bone marrow transplant.
Bone marrow transplant is done to treat thalassemia (BMT) and many other blood related diseases. Thalassemia is a genetic disease. In which abnormal hemoglobin is present in the body, which causes severe anemia and many related problems. There is a lack of blood in the body.
This disease occurs due to genetic reasons. Newborns also fall prey to it. Thalassemia is treated with BMT. In the last few years, the number of people undergoing bone marrow transplant has increased. But still its number is less compared to the needy.
BMT is very effective for thalassemia patients. It can completely cure the disease. Patients who undergo BMT and get successful grafts are not dependent on blood transfusions, which greatly improves their quality of life.
After BMT, patients suffering from blood-related diseases live a normal life. Thalassemia major is a serious disease among blood disorders. It can also be treated with the help of BMT.
What are the risks in bone marrow transplant?
Dr. Rahul Bhargava, Chief Director, BMT Department, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, explains that there can be some problems while doing BMT.
In this process, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is given to destroy the existing bone marrow of the patient before obtaining the bone marrow. This preconditioning can cause side effects like infection and infertility. The patient is also at risk of (GVHD) from the graft.
Due to this, the immunity cells of the donor can attack the tissue. In many cases, the donor is also not easily available. In such a situation, the patient has to wait a long time to get the transplant. There is also a risk of death of some patients due to not getting a donor on time.
What is the success rate of bone marrow transplant
The success of BMT in thalassemia patients depends on many factors, including the age of the patient, the severity of the disease and the availability of donors.
The success rate in young patients can be more than 90%. However, the success rate is lower in older patients. But the advice to patients with thalassemia or other diseases is that bone marrow transplant is a good way to avoid this. People should come forward to donate bone marrow.