Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
BMT is needed for patients with blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma), bone marrow failure, immune system disorders, and certain genetic diseases. It's typically considered when other treatments have failed or are not suitable.
The entire process takes 3-6 months. This includes pre-transplant evaluation (2-4 weeks), conditioning therapy (1-2 weeks), hospital stay (3-6 weeks), and initial recovery period (2-3 months).
Success rates vary by disease and patient factors. Overall, 60-80% of patients achieve long-term survival. Autologous transplants have higher success rates (70-90%) than allogeneic transplants (50-70%).
Risks include infection, bleeding, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), organ damage, and relapse of the original disease. The transplant team closely monitors for these complications and provides preventive care.
Donor searches begin with family members (siblings have 25% chance of being a match). If no family match is found, searches are conducted in national and international donor registries and cord blood banks.
GVHD occurs when donor immune cells attack the recipient's body. It can affect the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Prevention and treatment include immunosuppressive medications and careful donor matching.
Hospital stay is typically 3-6 weeks, depending on engraftment and complications. Patients remain in protective isolation until their immune system recovers and they can safely return home.
Most patients return to normal activities within 6-12 months. You can work, exercise, travel, and enjoy life. However, you must take medications, avoid certain foods, and maintain regular medical follow-up for life.
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