Posted On : Aug 12 , 2024
Posted By : CureSureMedico Team
Autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is one of the major options of treatment for the patients who have lymphoma. This kind of therapy involves replacing damaged bone marrow with a patient's own stem cells, mostly after high-dose chemotherapy or radiation. In this paper, it will discuss how autologous BMT works, its benefits, its risks, and the recent developments.
What Are Lymphomas?
Lymphomas are cancers that begin in the lymphatic system, especially in the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. They mainly affect lymphocytes, one kind of leukocyte playing an integral role in the immune system.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma: HL is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells; it often presents with symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Chemotherapy and radiation form the first line of treatment. Autologous BMT can be considered in case of relapsed or at least refractory disease.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: This includes predominantly the types that range from slow-growing to aggressive in behavior. The majority of the therapies include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. In fast-growing lymphomas that do not respond to conventional treatment, autologous BMT offers a hope for achieving remission and survival.
Why Autologous BMT for Lymphomas?
Autologous BMT is used when lymphoma does not respond to other treatments or returns after initial therapy. High-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy is applied and then restored by the patient's own stem cells that can help the restoration of bone marrow.
Benefits of Autologous BMT
Bone Marrow Restitution: Mainly, this will reinstate all the functions of the bone marrow capable of producing healthy blood cells.
Long-Term Remission Possible: Many patients have prolonged remission and an enhanced survival rate with this treatment.
How Is Autologous BMT Performed?
Collecting Stem Cells
Stem cells are harvested from the patient through two ways:
Bone Marrow Aspiration: A needle is used to collect marrow from the hip bones.
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection: Stem cells shall be taken from the bloodstream once medication has been given to increase the number of stem cells.
Preparing for Transplant
The preparative phase consists of the patient undergoing the following before the transplant:
High-Dose Chemotherapy: This destroys cancer cells and suppresses the immune system to prevent rejection of the transplanted cells.
Radiation Therapy: Used sometimes against the cancer cells, more precisely.
Infusing Stem Cells
After conditioning therapy, previously collected stem cells are infused back into the patient's blood. These cells find their way to the bone marrow and begin to generate new blood cells.
3.4 Post-Transplant Care
Care after the transplant includes:
Infection Prevention: As the patient's immune system is weak, patients have to be kept safe from infections.
Supportive Treatments: It involves medication for side effects, blood transfusions, and regular health checks.
Risks and Complications
Autologous BMT has a few risks associated with it, including:
Infections: As the immune system is weak, there are chances of infections.
Graft Failure: The transferred cells may not start the production of blood cells properly.
Organ Damage: Chemotherapy or radiation has its side effects on organs.
Secondary Cancers: The risk of new cancers caused by previous treatments.
Recent Advances in Autologous BMT
Recent advances in the area of autologous BMT have been observed that make this treatment more effective and safer:
Personalized Approaches: It involves the tailoring of this treatment according to the patient lymphoma variant and his genetic profile.
New Therapies: It connects BMT with targeted therapies and even immunotherapy.
Improved Supportive Care: It refers to strategies of complication management and the recovery of patients.
Conclusion
Autologous bone marrow transplantation has been a cardinal treatment for patients suffering from lymphoma, more so those who have relapsed or refractory disease. With improving technology and supportive care, outcomes are getting better, giving hopes of long-term remission and chances of better survival. Continuous research is being done to increase its effectiveness and safety as a vital treatment.
