Bone marrow transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant is considered a lifesaving treatment. It is a crucial part of the standard care for certain types of blood cancers, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases. The stem cells are harvested from the patient without the need for a donor; this procedure is an evidence-based treatment and a part of international guidelines for hematological cancers.
It is a process in which essentially non-specialized stem cells take on the duties of specific cells such as in the brain, muscle, or other body areas. Stem cells repair, restore and compensate for the loss of cells due to disease or damage, such as cancerous cells, which are killed off with chemotherapy or radiation. This loss of cells in the body must be replaced with healthy cells, and stem cells can do this.
Autologous stem cell transplant does not require a donor; the patients provide their stem cells for the treatment.
Stem cells are primarily found in the bone marrow. To collect stem cells, medication is given to mobilize stem cells from the bone marrow to blood, called stem cell mobilization. The excess stem cells produced travel into the bloodstream, are collected and frozen for use at the appropriate time.
This procedure is known as peripheral blood stem cell collection.
The bone marrow transplant is also called stem cell transplant, or specifically hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The only difference is where in the body the transplanted cells come from.
When stem cells are collected directly from the bone marrow, it is called a Bone Marrow Transplant.
Most stem cell transplant for cancer treatment currently is through Peripheral Blood Stem Cell transplants.
Peripheral blood stem cell collection is used to treat a range of cancers such as hematological or blood-related cancers: Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer), lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), certain types of leukemia or blood cancer, and amyloidosis (build-up of a rare protein in the body).
It is also used to treat non-hematological non-blood-related conditions such as germ cell tumors, autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Yes, it is the first facility for autologous hematopoietic stem cell/ Bone Marrow transplant in Dubai and a private hospital.
It is a fully functional unit with in-house services such as a state-of-the-art laboratory, advanced treatment with chemotherapy, stem cell mobilization, collection, storage, and re-infusion of cells, with specialized rooms for patient care.
The unit has a team of European and US-qualified medical specialists, subspecialists, and allied staff, with an international affiliation for multidisciplinary case review and discussions.
The unit’s nurses are highly skilled in Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) procedures, with experience in apheresis (separating blood components), cellular therapy, and post-transplant care.
American Hospital Dubai has a long-standing history as a well-established and highly reputed Cancer Center with excellence in service and patient care. Setting up the bone marrow and stem cell transplantation with cellular therapy service is another step towards delivering highly demanding and rewarding treatment for patients throughout the UAE.
Compared to donor stem cell transplant, autologous peripheral stem cell transplant leads to speedier recovery of healthy cell counts, reduced life-threatening risks, shorter hospital stays and decreased cost. There is no undue worry about stem cell compatibility as they are the patient’s own.
High-dose chemotherapy or radiation and bone marrow or stem cell transplant are back-to-back processes. The patient undergoes a preparative phase before the stem cell transplant is undertaken. Usually, after the last chemotherapy or radiation treatment, the stem cells are introduced into the patient’s body to replace the damaged cells due to cancer treatment. The patient receives their harvested stem cells like a blood transfusion. Each stem cell transplant is specific to the patient’s condition and requirement.
The transplanted stem cells transport themselves to the bone marrow and begin to generate new blood cells. Over a few weeks, the newly reintroduced stem cells start producing healthy blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Throughout the process, our specialists monitor the patient at every step.
If you or someone you know needs a stem cell transplant, please reach out to our stem cell transplant unit, and speak to our specialists. You can schedule an appointment by providing your details in our secure online form, appearing below.
