Bone marrow is a type of tissue found in the spongy region of some bones, which is responsible for the production and differentiation of precursor cells from red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets - a process called hematopoiesis.
Bone marrow donation is the last and sometimes the only alternative that certain patients have to overcome diseases such as: leukemias, certain lymphomas, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndrome, bone marrow aplasia, some types of anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and congenital, primary, or secondary.
Thus, it is necessary to find a compatible donor, a characteristic analyzed by the similarity between the possible donor's and the patient's antigens. Among relatives there is approximately 35% chance of finding someone compatible; and, among unrelated people, 0.1%. In the second case, a screening is performed in the Ministry of Health's database (REDOM), verifying in this list a potential compatible donor.
With the volunteer's consent, the volunteer will undergo a clinical examination in order to ascertain their health status. Having the right conditions for this, the surgery is performed, lasting approximately ninety minutes. This consists of punctures made in the region of the pelvis, in order to remove about 10% of the donor's medullary material, with the aid of anesthesia.
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Usually, the patient receives his donation on the same day, through a venous catheter, in a procedure that lasts approximately two hours. These cells will migrate via the bloodstream into the bones, where they will begin to produce new blood cells.
He is previously treated with dosages of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in order to destroy his marrow and lower the defenses of your immune system, preventing the chances of the donated tissue being rejected by your body. In this regard, he also receives dosages of immunosuppressants - drugs that reduce the action of transplanted immune cells against the recipient's body.
In a few days, patient and donor have their marrows restored!
How to be a donor?
The only criterion required for an individual to be a donor is that he or she is aged between 18 and 55 years old, and in good health. He will have to fill in a register, and take about 10 ml of blood sample, so that a compatibility test can be done. If any patient needs your donation, he is invited to do so. If you accept the invitation, the removal of the medullary material can be done at the transplant center closest to your home, at no cost.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
ARAGUAIA, Mariana. "Bone Marrow Transplantation"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/transplante-medula-ossea.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.