Adult Bone Marrow Transplant / Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does A Bone Marrow Transplant Take? 

The so-called “preparation regimen” is applied to patients before stem cell transplantation. This treatment includes chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy. It lasts an average of 1 week. After the transplanted stem cells enter the circulation, they enter the bone marrow and settle. Blood production of these cells usually occurs within 2 to 4 weeks after transplantation

 What Happens After Bone Marrow Transplantation, What Are Its Risks? 

Depending on the severity of the preparation regimen applied before the transplant, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, asthenia and sores in the mouth can develop at different rates and severity. Blood and blood products are needed until the transplanted stem cells settle in the bone marrow of the recipient and produce new blood cells.

At autologous transplant; There is a risk of recurrence of the disease after transplantation, as diseased stem cells may also mix between the stem cells collected from the patient.

At allogeneic transplant; immune systems of the recipient and donor may not be matched with each other. Therefore, the new immune system developed by the transplanted stem cells can see the recipient's organs as a foreign and react.

Damage may occur in the recipient's liver, skin, bone marrow and intestines. This complication, defined as graft versus host, can occur in approximately 50 percent of patients, with varying rates and severity. In this case, the patient is treated. However, in severe cases, organ failure may be observed this time as organ damage has occurred

How Are Stem Cells Collected From The Donor? 

In peripheral blood stem cell donation, after vaccination; temporary asthenia, fever, temporary flu-like symptoms, general body and bone pain, a feeling of fullness in the spleen can be seen. Side effects usually cease within a few days of taking the last dose of the drug. During apheresis, the person may feel asthenia, shivering, chilling, fainting, numbness in the lips and cramping in the hands.

Unlike bone marrow donation, peripheral blood stem cell donation does not require anesthesia. However, in people who are not eligible for peripheral vascular access, it may need to temporarily insert a central venous catheter (a flexible tube that is inserted into the large vein in the neck, chest, or groin area). 

Are There Any Harm of Bone Marrow Donation? 

Bone marrow stem cell donation does not require vaccination. Generally, a sufficient number of stem cells are obtained at one time. In this type of donation, unlike peripheral blood stem cell donation, general anesthesia that puts the person to sleep in operating room conditions or local anesthesia that leads to loss of feeling below the waist is given. The process takes about an hour on average. An incision requiring stitching does not occur. The donor is usually discharged the next day after blood tests are done. Pain may occur in the hip area that can last up to 1 week, temporary sorethroat and headache can be observed due to anesthesia. Because stem cells have the ability to constantly regenerate themselves, the donor's stem cells are restored to the old number at a certain time after the donation process. 

Who Can Donate Bone Marrow? 

People between the ages of 18-55, who have not had hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis disease, have no chronic disease, have not been diagnosed with cancer, HIV (AIDS) can donate bone marrow.