What is stem cell and bone marrow transplant?
Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation is the replacement of the patient’s bone marrow with a new bone marrow which is taken from a donor or the patient himself.
How can a person donate his bone marrow?
A person can donate his bone marrow under general anaesthesia, where special needles are used to collect the bone marrow from the pelvic bones, and this procedure takes around one hour, to collect 250-1000ml of a material which looks like blood.
The other way is to connect the donor to a machine like dialysis machine, which collect the stem cells only(which is a small percentage from the cells in the blood), and it returns the remaining cells to the donor, and these stem cells can be used similar to the use of bone marrow. The bone marrow transplant consultant will select the right method of collection according to the patient’s case.
What is autologous stem cell transplant?
When the stem cells are taken from the patient himself, this process called autologous transplant, or high dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue, and it is done after the patient receive high dose of chemotherapy.
The collected stem cells from the patient will be frozen in liquid Nitrogen, till the patient receive the high dose of chemotherapy to get rid of the remaining cancer cells, then the stem cells are infused to rescue the bone marrow.
Autologous transplant is usually done for lymphomas, solid tumours like Ewing sarcoma, and neuroblastoma, where the main goal is to give high dose chemotherapy.
What is allogenic transplant?
It is a process where the bone marrow or stem cells are taken from a person other than the patient (a donor), then these sells are infused to the patient to replace his bone marrow.
The patient will receive chemotherapy to prepare his bone marrow to receive the donor’s cells. This transplant is usually done for leukemias, so the news cells will also attack any remaining leukemia cells. It is also done for bone marrow failure syndromes, and thalassemia.
How the bone marrow and stem cells are infused?
It is a simple procedure, similar to blood transfusion and takes less than one hour. Physicians and nurses deal with the procedure seriously to avoid any potential problem, or mistake.
The physicians and nurses inspect the stem cell unit to make sure it is the right one, and they observe the patient during the infusion.
The preservative material for the frozen stem cells produce a strong smell, which you might notice shortly after the beginning of the infusion, and it remains for 1-2 days, also you might notice the urine colour to be dark.
What are the risks of transplant?
You might have immediate complications, due to the chemotherapy, which include: mouth ulcers, nausea, vomiting, and a more serious complication which affects the liver and the severity of it depends on the degree of liver affection. The other complication is infections which might affect the blood stream, and it is usually treated with antibiotics till your count recover.
In the case of allogenic transplant there is a risk of rejection by your body to the stem cells.
What are the diseases treated by stem cell and bone marrow transplant?
A- Autologous transplant:
B- Allogenic transplant:
Phases of stem cell and bone marrow transplant:
1- First phase, Preparation:
The consultant physician will do tests on the patient to make sure that his organs are healthy and he has no infections, and will explain the process and its complications, and donor evaluation in case of allogenic transplant.
2-Second phase, giving chemotherapy and/or radiation:
This phase is done in the bone marrow transplant unit at the Specialty Hospital, and under the supervision of transplant consultant, clinical pharmacist, with experience in handling and preparation of chemotherapy, group of well-trained nurses to deal with transplant cases.
3- Third phase, infusion of stem cells and dealing with complications:
This phase is considered the most critical phase in transplant, because the patient’s immunity will be very low, and he will be at risk of infection, so he will be in a special room in the BMT unit under protective isolation, and these rooms are equipped with a filter to replace the air in the room frequently and get rid of any germs, for this purpose the Specialty Hospital invested in highly equipped room according to the international standards.
Also the patient during this phase will require blood and platelets transfusion.
4- Fourth phase, recovery of the bone marrow, and patient’s recovery from chemotherapy:
In this phase the immunity of the patient increases gradually, and the requirement for blood and platelets transfusion decrease till it stop, and the intravenous medications will be changed to oral.
5- Fifth phase, Follow up in the clinic:
The patient will need regular follow up in the clinic at least once/week to look for any complication and to follow blood tests.
Mike Williams - Louisiana
Patient
I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Specialty Hospital. The care I received here was great and I highly recommend it to everyone.
Noura Al Shaaban - Saudi Arabia
Member of the Saudi Shura Council
Through my tour at the hospital I was very pleased with the professional touch in dealing with patients from all countries, and I was impressed by the presence of the advanced equipment in all medical specialties, excellence in dealing with visitors and the quick procedures. Your most important feature is the presence of the best specialized consultants that made me feel comfort and reassured that the citizens of Saudi are receiving good care here
Dr. Ahmed Al-Asbahi – Yemen
Member of Shura Council of the Republic of Yemen
I didn't find the words to express the state of progress I have seen at the Specialty Hospital, but I would like to say that the secret of this progress is referred to the man expressed by HM King Hussein, may God bless him and grant him peace, he said: "Human is the most precious thing we have”. This statement has been scientifically translated into the existence of qualified competencies in various fields especially what I have seen at the Specialty Hospital, I witnessed the stages of its development. And here I am today witnessing the reality of dealing directly with the excellence in its management, wonderful nursing and advanced medicine.
Dr. Mustafa Othman Ismail
Former Sudanese Presidential Adviser, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
We have found great welcoming from the doctors and nurses at the hospital, their treatment was distinguished, thanks to the Specialty Hospital family for their great interest and we witness excellence in everything from medicine to equipment and treatment
Fatima Khaled Al Bashir - Sudan
The Wife and first cousin of Sudanese president
Thank you very much Specialty Hospital for the warm welcoming and the good treatment we found, and we noticed the good reputation of the hospital's staff from administrative to doctors and we ask God to bless them
HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal
Jordan
This distinguished institute makes us proud of the progress achieved by our dear country Jordan in the field of medicine, which is equivalent to that in the best countries of the world, this excellence and progress is from the wise management of Dr. Fawzi Al-Hammouri, whose efforts and the efforts of his colleagues at the Specialty Hospital which they deserve all the admiration and appreciation
Andera Reichlin - Switzerland
Ambassador
I would like to express the gratitude of the Swiss Embassy in Jordan for all what the Specialty Hospital, doctors, health and administrative personnel have done for the two injured patients.
Dr. Mandy - USA
Medical Provider
Your emergency department was fantastic. In 30 years of practicing medicine in the United States I have never been able to get X-rays, an ultrasound and an MRI done on one of my patients in less than 4 hours. Your hospital's efficiency and timeliness and exemplary and set the standard.Our patient went to the operating theater and had his injury successfully repaired. He is doing well thanks to the great care he received at Specialty Hospital.
Dr. Nabil Al–Sharif
Former Minister of Media & Communication in Jordan
Without exaggeration, I say that this medical institute provides great services around the clock to the citizens of Jordan, Arab patients and Jordan's visitors. The Specialty Hospital name in people's minds is connected to care and trust, which is a pride for our country and our medical institutes.
Artom Neekono - USA
Medical Provider
To the men and women that make up the wonderful staff of Specialty Hospital, thank you for the care and professionalism that you have consistently provided to all that came through you doors. You have provided a piece of mind knowing that our patients will have the best care possible in what would be normally be a very difficult situation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
HRH Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed bin Talal
Jordan
It is my pleasure to register my pride and appreciation to the employees of this outstanding medical facility for the management, doctors, nurses and for what we have seen from the warm hospitality, honor and care of the great profession ... I wish you success and good luck in serving mankind in our beloved Jordan under the Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein
Anamaria Trotingher - Romania
Patient
I like to thanks Dr. Basheer Abu Halalh and all the crew at Specialty Hospital , I was in the royal suites, the hospital is perfect and super cleanthe crew is helpful and well educated. I want to thank every one who helped me and made my stay there as perfect as possible
HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussain
Jordan
I am pleased to express my deep appreciation and admiration for the level of achievements you have reached in the medical field for our dear country. wish you success and good luck under the Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein
Dr. Tabita Boutros - Sudan
Former Minister of Water and Dams - Sudan
I was very pleased to visit your hospital, and I came to receive medical care and general checkups. This is an opportunity to say thank you so much for everything you have done for me
Dr. Anna - Netherlands
Medical Provider
Thank you so much for all the support, help and cooperation in the last few months. Thank you for all the care for our patients and for helping me doing my job over here in Jordan
