Bone Marrow Transplantation in Germany

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a method of treatment of the most severe forms of cancer (e.g., leukemia and lymphoma), as well as other diseases such as aplastic anemia, congenital immunodeficiency, and heritable metabolic diseases, etc. Because bone marrow transplantation is carried out heavily and has a high risk, it is usually used when other methods of treatment are not possible.

There are different kinds of Bone marrow transplantation:

• Autotransplantation (the patient receives his own cells after special treatment). First of all, patients with malignant diseases (not only hematological tumors but also other types of tumors) need this transplantation. Autotransplantation means that the patient receives super-high doses of chemotherapy, which should destroy the tumor, but also irreversibly damage the healthy bone marrow. Some of its cells are removed before chemotherapy and then returned to the patient in order to protect the bone marrow.

• Allogenic (from a donor)

• Relative donor (a brother or sister usually, one of the parents substantially rare)

• Non-relative donor

In cases of allogenic transplantation it is necessary to find a donor whose bone marrow would be “compatible” with the patient's body in the best way. If among the relatives there is not such a person, it is necessary to look for an unrelated donor in the international registry. This has to be paid.

The hemopoietic stem cells derived from bone marrow look like this:

The procedure of searching a donor, its activation and transport of the bone marrow cost $17000-25000. The operation is not too complicated. But the most complicated moment is the “maintenance” of the patient before and after surgery, because after chemotherapy he is on the gate and cannot resist any infection. Many drugs and supplies are necessary which cost a lot of money, especially in the case of infectious complications.

In reality, bone marrow transplantation costs plenty of money (approx. 200000-250000 euro), and this entire amount is not available very often. Sponsorship is therefore necessary almost always. In Germany, these operations have rescued dozens of children each year. 10000 bone marrow transplantations are carried out every year in the German clinics.

Donation is not dangerous and does not cause adverse consequences for health. The total restoration of the organism goes very quickly. However, it is necessary to remember that the commitment of bone marrow cells is a responsible procedure. An accurate and careful approach is needed as in case of surgical intervention.

Nowadays, there are more than 100.000 patients with bone marrow transplantation in the world. And consequently there are more than 100.000 bone marrow donors who saved the life of other people.