Overview
Bone marrow is a soft, spongy material found between your larger bones. It generates almost 200 billion new blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells each day. However, in other cases, including cancer of any type, this method may be ineffective. This is where bone marrow transplant surgery can help save the sick person's life. While a bone marrow transplant may sound frightening and intimidating to individuals who are unfamiliar with the procedure, it is simple and painless, similar to blood donation.
Bone marrow transplant
In a bone marrow transplant, healthy stem cells are infused into the body to replace bone marrow that is not producing enough healthy blood cells. This surgery, also known as a stem cell transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant, is only performed once both the donor and the receiver have undergone fitness and crossmatch tests. Stem cells for transplantation are derived from three sources: bone marrow found between big bones, the circulation, and babies' umbilical cords. The source of bone marrow for transplantation is determined by the goal of the transplant.
Why is a bone marrow transplant done?
Bone marrow transplants are often life-saving surgeries for people who have been diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and a few other cancers. Stem cells from a healthy person's bone marrow are harvested and put into the bloodstream of an unwell person to preserve his life and improve his chances of survival. Pregnant mothers should also preserve stem cells obtained from the placenta and umbilical cord after delivery in case they are needed by their newborns or others.
Myths Debunked: Bone Marrow Transplant
Myth 1: Bone marrow donation is extremely painful. Misconceptions: Many people believe that stem cell donation is a painful procedure, which is simply not the case. TV shows and incorrect literature available on the internet have perpetuated the myth that stem cell donation is dangerous and dramatic. However, there may be some discomfort following stem cell donation, but this varies from person to person. Stem cell donation generates only mild to moderate adverse effects that normally last a few hours to days before disappearing without incident. Fatigue, headache, back discomfort, and bruising are some of the possible adverse effects. The noble cause of stem cell donation motivates donors, with many expressing a strong desire to donate again in the future. They believe that minor suffering is worthwhile if it means saving someone's life.
Myth 2: Bone marrow donation is dangerous and life-threatening. Misconceptions: Another myth about stem cell donation is that it is risky and can have life-changing repercussions. On the other hand, the reality is that blood stem cell donation carries extremely few hazards, none of which are life-threatening. The comprehensive donor screening approach and extensive testing performed during the matching process ensure the donor's and recipient's safety following the surgery. There are rarely any negative effects from the stem cell donation operation. The donor's immune system is so powerful that the stem cells typically replenish themselves within 4 to 6 weeks. Another truth is that just 1 to 5% of a healthy person's bone marrow needs to be transplanted, which has little effect on their body and is quickly replenished by the immune system.
Myth 3: Donating bone marrow is a lengthy and time-consuming process. Misconceptions: It is a common misconception that registering for stem cell donation is a time-consuming process. However, the reality is quite the reverse. The online registration process for stem cell donation takes roughly 10-15 minutes. If you are screened and called to give after registration, your total time commitment for the entire process will not exceed 30 hours. You don't have to spend all 30 hours together in one go. This can easily be carried out across four to six weeks, including phone calls, pre-screening, appointments, and the donation itself. Having said that, there is no higher cause than saving someone's life, even if it demands a small time investment.
Myth 4: Stem cell donation is extremely expensive for the donor. Misconceptions: Many people believe that giving stem cells is prohibitively expensive and will deplete their savings. However, most healthcare facilities provide easy bone marrow transplant packages that include screening, matching, and donation at no cost. The donor is not subjected to any such costs, and the operation is both safe and free of cost. The recipient bears all medical expenditures associated with the surgery.
Myth 5: Men can donate bone marrow or stem cells, but women cannot. Misconceptions: There are sufficient medical guidelines in place to ensure the optimum outcome for both the donor and the beneficiary when the stem cell donation process is completed. The medical rules prohibit discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other factors. The medical committee has determined a specific age group to ensure the safety of both the patient and the donor. Anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who meets the medical requirements can donate stem cells. Anyone who is trying to conceive or who is already pregnant is excluded from the stem cell donation procedure to avoid any negative effects on the infant.
Conclusion
Signing up to be a stem cell or bone marrow donor is the most significant and noble commitment. Even after extensive medical exams and cross-match screening, no one can predict the outcome of a donation for the receiver, but a genuine and serious effort to donate can save someone's life. We hope the following bone marrow donation myths have helped you clean your mind and prepared you to become a bone marrow transplant donor.
Dr. Satyendra Katewa, Director & Head of Department
Blood & Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapies
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