Globally, millions of people are affected by bone marrow disease. Bone marrow transplant is a lifesaving process for those who are affected by cancerous diseases. India performs around 2000 cases annually related to bone marrow. There is a donor shortage globally for bone marrow transplant, particularly in certain countries, due to a lack of donors and knowledge. So we will discuss in this blog the bone marrow transplant side effects for the donor, and the risk of bone marrow transplant.
The bone marrow transplant process is a replacement surgery where the diseased or damaged cells are replaced with healthy ones. It is a surgical intervention that can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Bone marrow is the primary location of hematopoietic stem cells. It is used to treat mostly blood cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and immune diseases.
Side Effects of Bone Marrow Transplant for the Donor
The bone marrow donation or bone marrow harvesting is mostly considered a safe process. But in some cases donor may experience common side effects or symptoms. Here are some of the common side effects of bone marrow donation for donors given below:
Common Side Effects of Bone Marrow Donation for the Donor
There are some common side effects of a bone marrow donation for the donor are given below:
- Fatigue: Fatigue is a common side effect that donors may experience for a few days or weeks. It is caused mostly due to temporary loss of blood cells or anesthesia during the procedure. Fatigue can also influence the psychological and mental health of the donor.
- Pain at the Surgical Site: It is a normal symptom of pain at the surgical site that occurs. Because the surgeon uses needles during the procedure. The surgeon’s needles are inserted into the hip bone for bone marrow collection. This can cause pain in a few days or a week at the insertion site.
- Swelling: In a bone marrow donation, mild swelling or discomfort is a common side effect at the site where bone marrow is collected. It could be normalised within a week and avoid heavy weight lifting until the swelling goes down.
- Headache: It is a common side effect for bone marrow donors due to anesthesia and medication. The headache completely disappears within a week or a month.
- Sleep Disturbances: It is one of the common or temporary side effects due to the medication, physical discomfort, and anesthesia. When you suffer from sleep disturbance, you should eat lighter meals and get proper rest or go to bed earlier.
Advanced Side Effects of Bone Marrow Donation for the Donor
The advanced side effects are extremely rare, for the donor may experience them after the procedure. There are some potential advanced side effects for the bone marrow donor, given below:
- Infection: Infections are a major risk after a bone marrow transplant because the conditioning treatment severely damages the immune system, leading to a low white blood cell count or weakened cellular immunity.
- Bleeding: It is a sporadic case report after the bone marrow transplant donation. The donor may experience the side effects of bleeding.
- Citrate Reaction: The citrate reaction is extremely rare, reported in a donor. When you donate bone marrow, the surgeon adds citrate to the donor blood to prevent blood clotting. Because the citrate binds to the ionized calcium and leading to hypocalcemia.
- Chronic Fatigue: It is a very rare problem for a bone marrow donor to feel long-term or persistent fatigue.
Risks or Complications of Bone Marrow Transplant for the Donor
While risk and complications are very rare because this procedure is safe. Here are some common risks and complications mentioned below.
Anesthesia Reaction
The biggest risk is due to the reactions of the general anesthesia, which can be accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, chills, and confusion. It usually disappears within a few days or a week. Also, it is possible to have a sore throat caused by the breathing tube.
Post-Procedure Side Effects
- Back or hip pain is a common occurrence and may last for a few days or a few weeks.
- Fatigue and muscle aches are very common.
- It is possible that bruises may appear at the incision site.
Recovery Time for Bone Marrow Donor
Following the operation, you will be moved to a recovery room where your condition will be closely checked for a few hours. Generally, donors are allowed to return home on the same day. However, a few will have to stay overnight. It might be dependent on the donor’s medical condition. Recovery takes more time and is usually accompanied by pain and discomfort. This can last for around two to three weeks after the donation. Therefore, most donors may recover activity after a few days of taking proper rest, but full healing takes a few weeks.
Conclusion
Bone marrow donation is a lifesaving process that helps millions of people who are suffering from this disease. Side effects may be possible for the bone marrow donor. So the donor must consult with their doctor as much as possible and adhere to the instructions before the procedure. We mentioned in this blog the possible bone marrow transplant side effects for the donor, and also mentioned the recovery tips. If you have these types of symptoms, you must follow the healthcare instructions on your priority basis.