Bone Marrow Transplant
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only curative treatment for PNH. However BMT involves significant risk and it is often difficult for a patient to obtain a well-matched donor. A BMT is considered a “last resort” in PNH and is usually only performed where a patient has an excellent match (twin or sibling donor) or their PNH is immediately life-threatening and/or not responding to other treatments.
Simply put, a bone marrow transplant is when a patient’s bone marrow is destroyed in order to replace it with the healthy bone marrow of a donor. The patient is usually treated with high dose chemotherapy to destroy the bone marrow tissue and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to prevent rejection of the donor cells. Donor cells are collected directly from the bone marrow or blood stream.
Serious complications can occur as a result of bone marrow transplantation, the most common of which is Graft vs Host disease in which the immunity of engrafted bone marrow cells begins to attack the host (patient's) body.
There are many factors to take into account when considering a bone marrow transplant. Extensive consultation with a medical specialist is essential.
PLEASE NOTE: This information has been prepared as a guide for patients. It is not to be substituted for medical advice and accuracy is not guaranteed. Please consult with your medical practitioner for further information regarding your personal circumstances.
This information has been prepared by PNHSAA Inc., is copyright protected and is used with their permission.
Simply put, a bone marrow transplant is when a patient’s bone marrow is destroyed in order to replace it with the healthy bone marrow of a donor. The patient is usually treated with high dose chemotherapy to destroy the bone marrow tissue and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to prevent rejection of the donor cells. Donor cells are collected directly from the bone marrow or blood stream.
Serious complications can occur as a result of bone marrow transplantation, the most common of which is Graft vs Host disease in which the immunity of engrafted bone marrow cells begins to attack the host (patient's) body.
There are many factors to take into account when considering a bone marrow transplant. Extensive consultation with a medical specialist is essential.
PLEASE NOTE: This information has been prepared as a guide for patients. It is not to be substituted for medical advice and accuracy is not guaranteed. Please consult with your medical practitioner for further information regarding your personal circumstances.
This information has been prepared by PNHSAA Inc., is copyright protected and is used with their permission.
