An autologous bone marrow transplant, also known as an autologous stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure that involves the transplantation of an individual's own bone marrow cells or stem cells. The term "autologous" refers to the fact that the transplant source is the patient's own body.
The procedure begins with the extraction of bone marrow cells or stem cells from the patient's bone marrow or peripheral blood. These cells are then processed and either stored or immediately transplanted back into the same patient. Prior to transplantation, the patient usually undergoes a conditioning regimen, which may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both, to maximize the success of the transplant.
The purpose of an autologous bone marrow transplant is to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells or bone marrow cells from the same individual. This is commonly utilized in the treatment of various conditions, including certain types of cancers, such as lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma. By harvesting and transplanting the patient's own cells, the risk of graft rejection or graft-versus-host disease is minimized.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation offers several advantages over allogeneic transplantation, where the cells are obtained from a donor. These advantages include a lower risk of graft rejection, a decreased likelihood of graft-versus-host disease, and generally improved overall outcomes. However, the availability and quality of the patient's bone marrow or stem cells play a crucial role in determining the feasibility and success of this procedure.
