Bone marrow transplantation is a complex yet life-saving procedure that can benefit individuals with a wide range of diseases, including blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, aplastic anemia, immune deficiencies, and genetic disorders. The procedure involves replacing the damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells.
When considering a bone marrow transplant in Iraq, exploring different hospitals and doctors to find the right treatment and care for your specific needs is important. Additionally, it is important to consider the cost of the transplant, as it can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of transplant and the hospital.
Overall, Iraq offers a range of specialized hospitals and experienced medical professionals for bone marrow transplants, making it a viable option for individuals seeking this procedure.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
In bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant, healthy blood-forming stem cells replace damaged bone marrow that cannot produce enough healthy blood cells.
Why would someone need to have a bone marrow transplant?
Bone marrow plays a crucial role in immunity. With damaged bone marrow, the body’s immune system becomes weak and it increases the patient's risk of infections. Bone marrow transplant is recommended when bone marrow lacks stem cell production.
Different Types of Bone Marrow Transplant
1. Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant:
Auto means self. In this type of BMT, stem cells are used from your own body. Before starting cancer treatment, doctors remove stem cells from your blood or bone marrow.
2. Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplant:
Allo means “other.” Stem cells are collected from healthy donors. Brothers, sisters, Parents, children, and other relatives can be a good match. Special tests are performed to determine a good match.
Allogenic BMT is of 3 types:
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Complete Matched Sibling Donor BMT: The donor is likely to be the brother or sister of the patient.
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Haplo-identical BMT: Parents are donors.
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Unrelated Donor BMT: The donor is unrelated to the patient.
Bone Marrow Transplant Treatments in Iraq vs other countries
Iraq
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Autologous Transplant: Uses the patient’s stem cells for treatment.
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Allogeneic Transplant: Involves donor stem cells from a compatible donor.
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Mini Transplant: A less intense version of allogeneic transplant, suitable for older patients or those with comorbidities.
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Haploidentical Transplant: Utilizes half-matched donor stem cells.
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Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant: Uses stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
Turkey:
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Pediatric BMT: Tailored for children, treating various hematologic conditions.
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Autologous BMT: Uses patient's marrow, often for cancers like lymphoma.
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Allogeneic BMT: Involves donor's marrow, treating disorders like leukemia.
India:
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Autologous Procedure: Uses patient's cells, commonly for conditions like lymphoma.
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Allogeneic Procedure: Utilizes donor's cells, crucial for treating leukemia or genetic disorders.
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Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant: Harvests stem cells from a newborn's umbilical cord, often used when a matched donor isn't available.
United Kingdom:
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Leukemia: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow, where abnormal blood cells crowd out normal cells, impairing normal blood function.
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Lymphoma: A type of blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, affecting the lymphocytes (white blood cells) and potentially spreading to other organs.
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Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic conditions can impact the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells, leading to disorders such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or aplastic anemia.
United States:
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Autologous Procedure: Uses patient's cells, commonly for conditions like lymphoma.
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Allogeneic Procedure: Utilizes donor's cells, crucial for treating leukemia or genetic disorders.
United Arab Emirates
Top Bone Marrow Transplant Doctors in Iraq
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Dr. Ahmed Alwan
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Dr. Layla Al-Maliki
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Dr. Hassan Abbas
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Dr. Zainab Hussein
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Dr. Ali Kareem
Top Bone Marrow Transplant Hospitals in Iraq
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Baghdad Teaching Hospital
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Surgical Specialties Hospital
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Private Nursing Home Hospital
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Child Protection Teaching Hospital
What conditions can a bone marrow transplant treat?
The indications of bone marrow transplant are:
Requirements & Evaluation
Patients are explained thoroughly regarding Bone marrow transplant including the evaluation process, treatment side effects, cost of treatment, and associated complications.
Requirements and evaluation of bone marrow transplant involve a physical examination, laboratory investigations, and other tests, including HLA typing,
Bone marrow aspirate & biopsy, EKG, Pulmonary function test, PET scan, X-rays, biopsy, Central venous line placement (catheter placement), 24-hour urine collection, and Psychosocial evaluation
Preparing for your Transplant includes:
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Finding accommodation in a hotel because patients for autologous transplants need to stay for 30 days locally and allogenic transplant patients need to stay for 100 days.
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Central Line/Catheter Placement: This is an outpatient procedure that facilitates the infusion of cells, blood products, and IV medicines.
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Consultations with members of the Transplant Team.
Process for Transplanting Bone Marrow
Before the Procedure
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Evaluation of the general health of the patient. The doctor confirms if you are a suitable candidate for BMT.
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Bone marrow examination is completed and evaluated.
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Before transplant patients are instructed to stay away from sick people. It is advisable to maintain good hygiene.
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Conditioning Process: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both are carried out before BMT to eliminate cancer or diseased cells.
Mini transplant or reduced-intensity therapy means chemotherapy and radiation in smaller doses while myeloablative or ablative therapy means high doses of radiation, chemotherapy, or combination. The conditioning method suppresses the immune system and destroys cancerous cells.
In autologous transplant- the patient's stem cells are collected and stored before conditioning.
In an allogenic transplant - compatibility with the donor is matched.
Donor Selection Process
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A blood test is to identify the patient's tissue type.
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Donor registries are searched to find unrelated donors if a good match cannot be found among the patient's family members.
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Donors are assessed to determine if they are a good candidate. The examinations are physical examination, imaging, and blood investigations.
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On obtaining consent from the donor, procedures like bone marrow extraction, and peripheral blood stem cell collection, are carried out.
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The process takes weeks or months.
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Donors are explained about possible side effects and duration of recovery.
Stem Cell Collection
Autologous: Patient blood is collected and put through a machine. This separates the stem cells during apheresis. The patient's body receives the leftover blood back. The stem cells are frozen and stored until BMT.
Allogenic: A medication is injected into the donor that stimulates the release of stem cells into the bloodstream followed by Apheresis for stem cell extraction from the donor's blood.
Risk & Benefits
Minor complications are an impaired taste sensation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, low blood pressure, and fever. Other serious complications are GVHD, anemia, mucositis, etc.
Recovery
Recovery takes a long time. To ensure proper recovery, It is important to take regular follow-ups, timely medications, and follow all instructions given by the doctor.
How to get a Bone Marrow Transplant done in Iraq using Yapita Health
Bone Marrow Transplant journey in Iraq with Yapita Health includes services like travel assistance, complimentary online consultation, private accommodations with amenities like TV and telephone, 24/7 logistical support, and affordable treatment packages. Experience top-notch healthcare and comprehensive services here.
You can fill up the form at the top of the page to start your treatment journey with Yapita health.
