What is Bone Marrow Transplantation?

A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, is used to treat certain types of hematologic (blood) cancer. Stem cells live in the bone marrow where they divide and make all of our blood and immune cells. Once these cells mature, they leave the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. During a bone marrow transplant, stem cells are transplanted from the bone marrow, the bloodstream or the umbilical cord blood from newborns.

Is Bone Marrow Transplant a Major Surgery? What is the Process of Donating Blood Marrow?

Bone marrow transplant is not a surgery. There are two processes of donating bone marrow/ stem cells. The most common procedure is a type of blood donation. The donor is given injections to stimulate increased stem cell growth. The stem cells are then collected by special technique with our blood bank specialists and frozen until used for transplant. The less common procedure is a surgery wherebone marrow is removed while the donor is under general anesthesia. A larger needle is put through the skin and into the back of the hip bone. The marrow is then pulled out through a large needle. The bone marrow is then filtered and stored in a freezer. Once the stem cells are ready to be used, they are thawed and put into a patient’s blood stream through a vein, like a blood transfusion. The stem cells then travel to the bone marrow where they start to make blood cells. After a few weeks, blood tests are used to measure the patients’ blood cells.

How to be a Bone Marrow Donor

Family of patients are first evaluated to be a bone marrow donor. Family members, age 18-65, in good health will be considered. Not all patients have a family member suitable for donation and depend on donors from around the world in national and international registries for this life saving procedure. Donors in the registry must be between 18 and 40 years of age and in healthy condition.

All bone marrow donors undergo tests to make sure their heart and lungs can withstand the procedure. Family members have blood tests to see if they are DNA patient match. Donors joining a registry have a swab is taken from theirmouth and their DNA is analyzed. This information is then added to the Be The Match Registry^® and awaits a match. For the full list of medical guidelines to become a donor in the registry, click here.

It is important to be aware that over 70% of patients who need a bone marrow transplant do not a have a family member that qualifies for donation. That is why people like you are needed to help save lives. There are resources available to help you make a decision whether to donate. Becoming a donor takes commitment as it requires many hours spread out over four to six weeks to harvest the marrow safely. Not every member of the registry goes on to donate for a patient, but all donations are given with the hope of being a match for someone in need.

What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)?

Lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the spleen are all parts of the lymphatic system. This system works to help the body fight infection. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infection. The lymphatic system includes:

• Lymph: Infection-fighting fluid made mostly of a certain type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.
• Lymph nodes: small bean-shaped organs that filter lymph and store white blood cells. Lymph nodes are grouped together throughout the body. Some areas where they are found include the neck, armpit, and groin.
• Bone marrow: soft tissue found in the center of bones. All blood cells and immune cells are made in the bone marrow.
• Thymus gland: The thymus gland helps build the immune system in children. It produces a type of white blood cell called T-lymphocytes, which fight infection. The thymus gland is located underneath the breastbone.
• Spleen: Organ that stores certain lymphocytes and filters the blood. It’s located under the ribs on the left side of the body.

With non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), cancer cells form in the lymphatic system. When the cancer cells group together, they form a tumor. The tumor can spread (metastasize) to another part of the body, such as the lungs. The presence of cancer cells makes it hard for the body to fight infection and can cause other health problems.

Who Gets Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)?

People of any age and ethnicity can get Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

What Causes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)?

NHL occurs when white blood cells grow abnormally (mutate). What causes this to happen is not fully known. If the cells crowd lymph nodes or other areas of the body, they can cause tumors to form. In rare cases, other factors, such as exposure to certain viruses, chemicals or radiation, play a role.

What Are the Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)?

Some common symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include fever, night sweats and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, chest, armpits or groin.

How Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will complete an interview and examination. You will be asked about your health history. You may also have one or more of the following:

• Blood tests to take a sample of the blood and test it
• Imaging tests to take detailed images of areas inside the body. These may include a chest x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and PET scan.
• Bone marrow aspirations and biopsies to take samples of bone marrow from the hipbones
• Lumbar puncture, also called spinal tap, to take a sample of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord from the child’s lower back

Staging and Grading of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Staging is the process that determines the size of the cancer and how much it has spread. Most cancers have their own staging system. In lymphoma, staging is used for treatment recommendations rather than determining prognosis. Grading is used to describe how abnormal the cancer cells look when seen through a microscope. Staging and grading help the healthcare team plan treatment.. They also help determine the likelihood of cure (prognosis). The process used for NHL takes into consideration the following:

Symptoms Related to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

• Location of the primary tumor
• Tumor size and number of tumors
• If the cancer has spread to other areas of the body
• How abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope

The cancer is also broken down into stages one through four (often written as I through IV). The different stage numbers refer to the tumor’s size and if it has spread. For instance, stage I is a very early stage of cancer. Stage IV means the cancer is widespread. NHL is equally treatable in all stages. NHL is also broken down into further classifications. Talk to the healthcare provider if you have any questions about the stage of your cancer.

How Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Treated?

There are many different types of NHL. The treatment you receive depends on the type of NHL treatments that may be combined. You may require one or more of the following treatments:

• Surgery to remove an entire lymph node
• Chemotherapy (“chemo”) to destroy cancer cells with powerful cancer-fighting medications. Multiple chemo medications may be used. They are given through a tube (IV) that’s usually put into a vein in the arm or chest. Or, they may be given by mouth or injection.
• Immune therapy to directly treat your cancer or assist your own immune system to destroy cancer cells. Immune therapy is often combined with chemotherapy. Immune therapy may be given by IV, pill, or injection.
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells and shrink a tumor using high-energy x-rays. Radiation may be used before or after other treatments.
• Clinical trials offer new treatments, new combinations of treatments, and novel treatments for lymphoma. Ask you provider if clinical trials for your lymphoma are available and an appropriate treatment option.

Supportive Treatments

The goal of supportive treatments is to protect you from infection, prevent discomfort and bring the body’s blood counts to a healthy range. During treatment, you be given antibiotics. These are medications that help prevent and fight infection. Anti-nausea and other medications may also be given. These helps ease side effects caused by treatment. You may receive a blood or platelet transfusion to restore the blood cells destroyed by treatment.

What Are the Long-Term Concerns?

With early treatment, many type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) are curable. But chemotherapy and radiation may cause some problems, such as damage to certain organs. You will have long-term follow-up will your cancer physician to monitor for long-term side effects.

Coping

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is scary and confusing. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. Your healthcare team will work with you throughout your illness and care. You may also wish to seek information and support for yourself. Doing so can help you cope with the change’s cancer brings. Learning about and talking with others who also have cancer may help you and your family cope.

Resources and Support

What Is Leukemia?

Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin changing in ways that aren't normal. Cancer that starts in blood cells is called leukemia.

Blood is made up of cells and fluid. The body constantly replaces old blood cells with new ones to keep the blood healthy. New blood cells are made in the bone marrow (the spongy substance inside bones). One type of blood cells is the white blood cells, which help the body fight off infections and disease.

How Does Leukemia Start?

Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. When leukemia occurs, the body produces many abnormal white blood cells (blasts) that can’t do the work that normal white blood cells do. More abnormal than normal cells are made, leaving the blood unable to do its work. There are four major types of leukemias:

• Leukemia can be myelogenous or lymphocytic. These terms refer to the type of cell that the cancer starts in.
• Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute leukemias get worse very quickly. Chronic leukemias get worse gradually.

Treatment Options for Leukemia

You and your healthcare provider will discuss a treatment plan that's best for your needs. Treatment options may include:

• Chemotherapy, which uses strong medications to kill cancer cells
• Immunotherapy, which strengthens the body's own immune system to help fight cancer
• A bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplant, which removes the tissues or cells that make blood cells and replaces them with healthy tissues or cells
• Clinical trials offer new treatments, new combinations of treatments, and novel treatments for leukemia. Ask you provider if clinical trials for your leukemia are available and an appropriate treatment option.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 504-842-3910.

What is Multiple Myeloma (MM)?

Plasma cells are cells of our immune system best known for producing antibodies to protect us from infection. Cancer arising from plasma cells is multiple myeloma.

What are the symptoms of Multiple Myeloma (MM)?

Multiple myeloma may be found incidentally during routine blood work. Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma may include anemia, kidney failure, or a bone fracture.

Who is at risk for Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is almost exclusively a blood cancer of adults. The average age of diagnosis is 65. MM is the most common blood cancer of black/ African American adults. There is no known direct cause of MM.

How is Multiple Myeloma treated?

You and your healthcare provider will a discuss treatment plan best suited for your needs. Treatment options for MM include:

• Immune therapy targeted against the cancer cells or to work with your own immune system to treat the cancer. Immune therapy may be given by IV, pills, or injections.
• Chemotherapy which uses strong medications to fight cancer. Chemotherapy may be given by IV, pills, or injections.
• Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells by focused beams of radiation. Radiation therapy may be used to treat MM in the bone or relieve pain from bone involvement.

• A bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplant, which removes the tissues or cells that make blood cells and replaces them with healthy tissues or cells. MM is the most common indication for stem cell transplant and is considered treatment for most patients.

• Clinical trials offer new treatments, new combinations of treatments, and novel treatments for MM. Ask you provider if clinical trials for your MM are available and an appropriate treatment option.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 504-842-3910.