What exactly is a marrow /
stem cell transplant?
A marrow or blood cell transplant
is a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with
Leukemia, Lymphoma, and other blood related diseases. It is the replacement
of diseased marrow with marrow from a health donor infused
into a patients vein just like a blood transfusion. Within
two (2) to three (3) weeks the transplanted marrow /
stem cells begin to produce normal blood cells in the
patient. The three (3) sources of blood-forming cells
are marrow, blood-forming cells collected from the
blood and umbilical cord blood.
Who can become a marrow / stem cell donor?
You must be
between the ages of 18 and 60 years old, have no history
of hepatitis, heart disease, cancer or AIDS, and meet
health guidelines. A small blood
sample is taken and tested to determine the donor's tissue
type. Potential donors will complete a brief health questionnaire,
possess a positive attitude and pride in wanting to become
a donor, and sign a consent form allowing your HLA tissue
type listed on the Registry in its confidential files
for future matching.
How does a person's race or ethnicity affect matching?
Because
tissue type is inherited, patients are most likely to
match someone of their same race and ethnicity. There
is a special need to recruit more donors who identify
themselves as: Black or African American, American Indian
or Alaska Native, Asian, Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander,
Hispanic or Latino.
How do I know if I am a match?
If you are found to be
a possible match with a patient you
will be contacted immediately and given the option
of proceeding to the next level/s of testing to insure
final HLA compatibility with the patient. Once the
consent form is signed, the remaining sample is
frozen to be used for second level testing if you should
match at the first level. Of course, your consent to
do so would be obtained.
What happens if I am a match?
If the match is confirmed with your legal consent given
after in-depth counseling and a thorough physical examination
the transplant can be scheduled.
How is my marrow collected?
Two procedures are available
for marrow collection.
1. Marrow donation …. You are given light
general anesthesia so that you feel nothing during
the procedure. The doctors use special sterile needles
to withdraw only 2% to 3% of your liquid marrow from the
large crest of your hip (pelvic) bone. The procedure
takes no more than 30 to 45 minutes and you
may go home the same day or the next day. Your
marrow is completely replaced within four (4) to six
(6) weeks.
2. Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection/donation takes
place at an apheresis center. To increase
the number of blood-forming cells in the bloodstream
you will receive small injections of Neupogen/Filgrastin
for 3 to 5 days to force your marrow to overproduce marrow or
stem cells which are then released into your circulating
blood. The stem cells are collected by removing
blood from a vein in your arm, passing it through a filter system
which collects the stem cells and returns the remaining
blood to you...a 4 to 5 hour procedure.
Who pays for these tests?
Not you -- the patient or his/her
medical insurance does.
Does donating hurt? What are the side effects?
1. Marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in
their lower back for a few days or longer. There
have been reports of feeling tired and having some difficulty
walking. Most donors are back to their usual routine
in a few days. Some may take two or three weeks before
they feel completely recovered.
2. Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors report varying
symptoms including headache, bone and muscle pain,
nausea, insomnia and fatigue while receiving injections
of filgrastim. During the collection, donors may
experience a tingling feeling or chills. These effects
disappear shortly after collection. This will be
discussed in detail with you.
How does a patient receive a transplant?
After a patient
undergoes chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment to
destroy their diseased marrow, the healthy donor cells
are given directly into the patient's bloodstream. The
cells travel to the marrow, where they begin to function
and multiply.
Can I withdraw as a donor any time I want to?
Up until
the time you provide us with your final, legal consent
to proceed to harvest - YES! But we hope
that you would not want to change your mind as too much
is at stake for the patient needing your help.
Which diseases
can be treated by marrow transplant?
Over
50 diseases including the leukemia's, aplastic anemia,
severe combined immune deficiency, sickle cell anemia
and radiation poisoning are treated by marrow transplant. |
