Lymphoma is a kind of cancer which develops because of the lymphocytes mainly. White blood cells which protect the body against several infections are a type of lymphocytes which get impaired in lymphoma. The lymphocyte gets accumulated in lymph nodes or spread to several body parts causing a traumatic condition of lymphoma. Its main origin is from the immune system itself since it involves lymphocytes and these multiply in uncontrolled numbers spreading to spleen bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes etc.
Lymphoma is mainly divided into the following types:
• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Depending upon a specific type a particular bone marrow transplantation can be suggested by your physician for treatment. You must consider sharing all your previous medical history details with your physician before starting with any specific treatment in order to prevent any last moment complications.
Which different types of bone marrow transplantation can help in treating lymphomas?
Bone marrow transplantation helps in treating even the advanced staged lymphomas. But it requires a completed in detailed diagnostic analysis of the condition. Which can be done by an expert who is specialized in the diagnosis and treating cancers or lymphomas.
The three different transplant types are listed below based on its donor:
• Syngeneic Transplant: In this, the stem cells are donated by an identical twin of the patient.
• Autologous Transplant: In this, Stem cells are obtained from the patient itself. Healthy stem cells if present is used as a source of bone marrow transplantation in some cases.
• Allogeneic Transplant: In this, a related or unrelated donor with a close match or complete match of stem cells is the source for transplant.
Depending upon case your physician can suggest the best suitable bone marrow transplant for you after a complete analysis of the condition.
What role does bone marrow transplantation play in lymphomas?
Bone marrow transplantation replaces the unhealthy or damaged blood-forming cells with the healthy ones. The process is termed as bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant. It involves either autologous transplant in which cells are obtained from the patient itself or allogeneic transplant in which source of healthy stem cells is a related or unrelated donor.
In the case of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma autologous transplant is the most common type. It involves high dose chemotherapy sessions followed by a transplant. Although, chemo is required in mostly both kinds of transplants initially to kill the cancerous cells or lymphomas in the body. After that new cells are infused which travels inside the body to reach bones and reboot the process of blood cell production again.
Everything is done in a hospital under proper observation and measures are taken to prevent and minimize post-procedure complications.
Related FAQs:
1) Q: What are the different signs and symptoms of lymphomas?
A: Its signs include enlarged or swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath or even cough, abdominal swelling, occasional chills, and weight loss etc.
2) Q: Is there any difference between stem-cell transplant and bone marrow transplantation?
A: The main difference lies in the fact from where the donor cells are obtained. Like stem-cell transplant or peripheral blood stem-cell transplant involves extraction of cells from the peripheral or circulating blood of the body whereas in bone marrow transplantation the source is bone marrow itself. The procedure of stem-cell transplant is comparatively easy and involves quicker regeneration of new cells in the body.
3) Q: Which type of bone marrow transplantation are common for Hodgkin Lymphomas (HL)?
A: Autologous, as well as allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, are the most preferred ones for Hodgkin Lymphomas. But your physician can only suggest the best suitable type of bone marrow transplantation as per your case.