Bone marrow transplantation abroad is performed in various ways – syngeneic, autologous and allogeneic. Foreign doctors use the most modern technologies to achieve successful cell engraftment, minimize risks and obtain a good therapeutic effect.
Who gets a bone marrow transplant and how?
Transplantation is performed in any age group, if the diagnosis requires it.
The procedure is relevant for the following pathologies:
- Lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's lymphoma)
- Acute and chronic leukemia
- Thrombopathies and erythropathies
- Immunodeficiency (including HIV)
- Aplastic anemia
- Anemia of a different type and degree
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Transplantation can be syngeneic, allogeneic and autologous. The latter two methods are used most often, since the first involves the presence of an identical twin as a donor. In autologous transplantation, the patient is both a donor and a recipient – they are transplanted with their own stem cells. The allogeneic method is the most common and effective, in which another person with the necessary characteristics acts as a donor.
Contrary to the name, bone marrow transplantation does not involve surgical intervention, but is actually performed according to the principle of blood transfusion. Before and after transplantation, patients are kept in sterile boxes that protect them from bacteria, viruses and other pathological agents.
The operation is performed according to this algorithm:
- Neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, etc.)
- Patient preparation and donor search (optional)
- Preliminary diagnosis
- Administration of prepared bone marrow or stem cell concentrate
- Supportive therapy with mandatory isolation
Supportive treatment includes the use of drugs that prevent bone marrow rejection. It also provides prevention of infections and spontaneous diseases, to which the body becomes particularly susceptible.
Advantages of transplantation abroad
The main advantage of the service in foreign clinics is the presence of large–scale donor banks, thanks to which patients do not have to wait long for the material.
Other benefits of bone marrow transplantation abroad:
- Thorough preparation and postoperative monitoring
- Progressive methods of concomitant, supportive and targeted treatment
- Procedure safety
- A positive effect in the vast majority of cases.
- Round-the-clock care and support of medical staff
- The comfort of staying in the clinic
Before discharge, the doctor will give detailed instructions on maintaining positive dynamics, lifestyle correction and preventive measures. Most of the patients who are treated in foreign medical centers manage to go into stable remission or achieve a full recovery.
