$Unique_ID{BRK00993}
$Pretitle{Blood and Blood Forming Organs}
$Title{Questions About Marrow Transplant and Donation}
$Subject{marrow transplant donor}
$Volume{D-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Questions About Marrow Transplant and Donation


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QUESTION:  We have received mail from a cousin who will soon be undergoing a
marrow transplant.  As a member of the family is it possible that our marrow
would be useful?  How is the marrow obtained and what is the process used for
transplantation?  Is this safe for both the donor and the patient?  Please
help us with the information we need to be of help.

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ANSWER:  Although you did not mention your exact relationship with the
patient, not his disease, I think it is pretty safe to state that you would
not be any more likely to be a potential donor than someone not related to
him.  The marrow, which contains all of the primary or stem cells that divide
and produce all the cellular elements of the blood and the immune cells as
well must be carefully matched to the patients immunologic type.  An identical
twin would be best (syngeneic transplant) but a brother or sister might serve,
or any individual who is tissue type compatible (allogeneic).  In some cases,
marrow can be removed from the patient (autologous), before treatment by
irradiation or high intensity chemotherapy, and replanted after the therapy is
completed.  The marrow is obtained from the donor, under strict sterile
conditions, after the donor has been placed under a general anesthesia.  The
marrow is sucked (aspirated) from the marrow of the pelvic bones, and placed
in a tissue culture media, treated to prevent coagulation.  It is then given
to the patient through an intravenous infusion directly following collection.
There are few risks for the donor, primarily those associated with the
anesthesia.  Patients who are to receive this transplant must be treated in
advance to reduce their own immunity system, which could reject the transplant
and render the whole procedure useless.  It takes time for the transplant to
grow and produce enough cells to take over all the needed functions.  Patients
may have to remain hospitalized for as much as 3 to 12 months after
transplantation, guarded closely against infections which would have dire
consequences as they can spread uncontrolled through the system that lacks of
a functioning immune system.  The technique, known and used for some thirty
years, is not without difficulties, and expensive, but it may provide the only
hope in some otherwise fatal diseases.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
