Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT)
Blood and marrow transplantation are medical procedures used to treat
diseases once thought incurable. Since its first successful use in
1968, blood and marrow transplantation has been used to treat patients
diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphomas multiple myeloma,
immune deficiency disorders and some solid tumors. The primary purpose
of blood and marrow transplant is to allow patients to receive very high
doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the course of their
treatment.
In peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, stem cells are removed
from the bloodstream during process called apheresis or leukapheresis.
The blood then goes through a machine which removes the stem cells, the
remaining blood is returned to the patient and the collected stem cells
are stored for future use. The stem cells are administered to the
patient after he or she has been treated with high-dose anticancer drugs
and/or radiation. This facilitates production of blood cells.
In a bone marrow transplant, the patient's diseased bone marrow is
destroyed and healthy marrow is infused into the patient's bloodstream.
In a successful transplant, the new bone marrow migrates to the cavities
of the large bones and begins producing normal blood cells.
If bone marrow from a donor is used for a BMT, the transplant is
called an allogeneic BMT. In an allogeneic BMT, the new bone marrow
infused into the patient must match the genetic makeup of the patient's
own marrow as perfectly as possible. Special blood tests are conducted
to determine whether the donor's bone marrow matches the patient's bone
marrow.
In some cases, patients may qualify for an autologous BMT, whereby
the patient donates their own bone marrow. An autologous BMT is possible
if the disease afflicting the bone marrow is in remission or if the
condition being treated does not involve the bone marrow. With
autologous BMT, the bone marrow is extracted from the patient prior to
transplant and may be purged in order to remove any remaining malignant
cells.
Texas Oncology BMT Cancer Treatment Centers:
Since its beginning in 1983, the BMT program at Sammons has performed
more than 3,500 transplants ranking it among the largest transplant
programs in the country. The program has significant expertise in
autologous, allogeneic-related, and allogeneic-unrelated donor
transplantation. In 1998, the BMT Program became one of the first
centers in the United States to receive initial accreditation by the
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (F.A.C.T.). The
program has continued to maintain its accreditation placing it among an
elite group of BMT centers nationwide. Patients receive complete BMT
services, including pre-transplant evaluation and treatment, outpatient
care, long-term follow-up care, education, support groups, housing
coordination, and financial services.
The BMT program at Texas Oncology-Medical City Dallas was established
in 1994. The program provides transplant options for adult patients
with a variety of blood diseases. The program provides autologous,
allogeneic-related, allogeneic-unrelated as well as cord blood
transplants for both adult and pediatric patients. The program is
accredited as a combined program for both adult and pediatric patients
by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (F.A.C.T.)
and American Association of Blood Banks (A.A.B.B.). The program is
designated by the National Marrow Donor Program as a transplant center
and collection site.
The BMT Program at Texas Oncology-Amarillo prides itself in being a
small, yet comprehensive program, providing a state-of-the-art
transplant service. The program has a special interest in hematopoietic
stem cell transplantation for older patients. The program was
established in 2001. The program has significant expertise in
autologous, allogeneic, and umbilical cord blood transplantation,
especially for older patients. Treatment is available for the following
diseases: acute and chronic leukemia, Hodgkins lymphoma, non-Hodgkins
lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, other bone marrow diseases
and selected solid tumors. The program is actively engaged in research
involving novel approaches to stem cell transplantation for adult
patients.
This program is accredited by the Foundation for the
Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (F.A.C.T.).
Some children diagnosed with leukemia or other types of cancer and
blood disorders may benefit from stem cell therapy. The Stem Cell
Transplantation and Research (S.T.A.R.) program at Medical City
Children’s Hospital is a shining example of the latest in oncological
care. As a leader in stem cell transplant research, we have significant
experience performing pediatric stem cell transplants including
autologous and allogeneic along with transplants utilizing cells from
umbilical cord blood. Our stem cell program is accredited by the
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (F.A.C.T.) in
pediatric and adult stem cell transplants. In addition, our collections
and transplantation programs are accredited by the National Marrow
Donor Program (N.M.D.P.).
We go to extra lengths to help our patients who have lowered immune
systems. Our state-of-the-art stem cell facilities include a 13-bed
inpatient unit with continuous cardiac monitoring and high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filters to prevent airborne infections, as well
as a Tarn-Pure™ water purifying system to prevent legionella
infections. For extra safety, we use a monitored positive airflow
pressure system to push bacteria and other microorganisms out and keep
clean air in.