$Unique_ID{BRK00837}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What is a "Bone Marrow Transplant"?}
$Subject{marrow transplant Special Procedures procedure bone stem-cell cells
leukemia lymphoma anemia inherited blood disorders thalassemia hereditary
genetic types autologous patient syngeneic identical twin allogeneic brother
sister parent}
$Volume{P-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is a "Bone Marrow Transplant"?


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QUESTION:  I know that organs may be transplanted but now I've heard the term
"bone marrow transplant."  What is it?  What is it used for?

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ANSWER:  A bone marrow transplant replaces a patient's abnormal or diseased
marrow with healthy marrow from a donor.  The new marrow contains a stem-cell
population that can differentiate into blood cells that will replace the cells
affected by disease.  Such treatment can be helpful for some patients
suffering the effects of leukemia, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system),
certain types of anemia and/or inherited blood disorders (one such is called
thalassemia) and those seriously weakened by radiation and/or chemotherapy.
     There are three types of bone marrow transplants:  autologous--from the
patient's own marrow, removed prior to treatment with chemo or radiation
therapy.  The removed marrow also may be treated before being retransplanted
in the patient:  syngeneic--from an identical twin and is genetically
identical to the patient:  and the most common type, the allogeneic--from a
brother, sister or parent.  Until now the most successful grafts have been
from those identical twins.
     Whoever the donor may be, he/she must have nearly identical genetic
characteristics with the patient or the transplant probably will not survive,
although with immunosuppressive preparation, success rates are continually
improving.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.