Hematology & Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation
The Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Department at Burjeel Cancer Institute provides life-saving treatments for children and adults with blood cancers and other serious blood disorders. Our expert team of hematologists, oncologists, and transplant specialists offers both autologous and allogeneic transplants, using the latest advances in stem cell therapy to treat a wide range of conditions.Our state-of-the-art facilities and personalized care approach ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care throughout their transplant journey.
Conditions We Treat
We provide bone marrow and stem cell transplants for a variety of conditions, including:
- Leukemia (ALL, AML, CLL, CML)
- Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's)
- Multiple Myeloma
- Severe Aplastic Anemia
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Thalassemia (beta and alpha)
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Myeloproliferative Disorders
- Immunodeficiency Disorders
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders
Types of Transplantation
We offer several types of bone marrow and stem cell transplants, depending on the patient's condition and treatment goals:
Autologous Transplant
Involves using the patient's own stem cells, often used for certain types of lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The patient's stem cells are collected, treated, and reintroduced after intensive chemotherapy to help regenerate healthy blood cells.
Allogeneic Transplant
Involves receiving stem cells from a donor, often a matched family member or an unrelated donor. This is commonly used for leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other blood disorders. Types of allogeneic transplants include Matched Related Donor (MRD) Transplant, Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) Transplant, Haploidentical Transplant (using half-matched donor cells, often from a parent or sibling).
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant
In some cases, stem cells from umbilical cord blood are used as an alternative to traditional bone marrow transplants.
Our Approach to Treatment
Our BMT team provides a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to bone marrow transplantation, focusing on long-term success and quality of life:
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every transplant is customized based on the patient's condition, overall health, and type of transplant. Our hematologists, oncologists, and transplant specialists collaborate to develop a tailored plan.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Our transplant specialists work closely with oncologists, radiologists, immunologists, and nurse coordinators to ensure comprehensive care before, during, and after transplantation.
Donor Matching and Selection
For allogeneic transplants, we carefully select donors through tissue typing and match programs to ensure the best possible outcome. We collaborate with international donor registries to find compatible donors.
Focus on Reducing Complications
Our team works diligently to minimize the risk of complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infection, and organ toxicity, through advanced protocols and careful patient monitoring.
Diagnostic and Monitoring Tools
We use advanced diagnostic and monitoring tools to assess eligibility for transplantation and monitor patient progress throughout the process:
HLA Tissue Typing
Used to determine the best possible donor match for allogeneic transplants, including matched unrelated donor (MUD) and haploidentical transplants.
Blood and Bone Marrow Tests
Regular testing to monitor blood counts, bone marrow health, and disease progression.
Immunophenotyping
Assesses the patient's immune system to evaluate the potential risks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and other complications.
Stem Cell Collection and Cryopreservation
For autologous transplants, stem cells are collected and frozen until the patient is ready for transplant.
Infection Surveillance
We use advanced infection monitoring protocols to minimize the risk of infection before and after transplantation, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Supportive Care and Patient Services
Our bone marrow transplantation team offers a wide range of supportive care services to ensure the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of our patients:
Pediatric Palliative Care
Providing symptom relief and emotional support for children undergoing bone marrow transplants, helping them maintain the best possible quality of life during treatment.
Nutritional Support
Customized nutrition plans designed to help patients maintain strength and recover after intensive chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Psychosocial Support
Counseling and psychological support for patients and their families, helping them navigate the emotional and psychological challenges of transplantation.
Rehabilitation Services
Physical and occupational therapy programs tailored to help patients regain strength and function during recovery from bone marrow transplantation.
Advanced Transplantation Techniques
At Burjeel Cancer Institute, we use the latest technologies and protocols to ensure the best possible outcomes for our bone marrow transplant patients:
Reduced-Intensity Conditioning (RIC)
A less aggressive approach to preparing the body for transplantation, which reduces the risk of side effects in older adults or patients with compromised health.
Haploidentical Transplantation
Allows for half-matched donors, expanding the pool of potential donors for patients who do not have a fully matched donor.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
An innovative form of immunotherapy that modifies a patient's T-cells to target and kill cancer cells, often used in conjunction with stem cell transplantation.
Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Prevention
Advanced protocols to reduce the risk and severity of GVHD, including the use of immunosuppressive drugs and post-transplant monitoring.
Patient Journey
Our patients receive compassionate, expert care throughout every stage of the bone marrow transplantation process:
Initial Consultation and Evaluation
A thorough assessment by our BMT specialists, including diagnostic tests, tissue typing, and a review of the patient's medical history to determine eligibility for transplantation.
Pre-Transplant Conditioning
Depending on the type of transplant, the patient may receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to prepare the body for transplantation.
Transplantation
Stem cells are infused into the patient's bloodstream to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow. The patient is closely monitored for complications such as infection or graft-versus-host disease.
Post-Transplant Care
After the transplant, the patient continues to receive close monitoring, supportive care, and regular check-ups to assess the success of the transplant and manage any complications.
Long-Term Follow-Up
Ongoing care to monitor for relapse, manage late effects of treatment, and ensure the patient's long-term health and well-being.
