Do bone marrow transplants actually help anyone live longer...?!


Question: Do bone marrow transplants actually help anyone live longer....?
...or is this a desperate last-ditch procedure for people who are as good as dead anyway.?

A third-generation freethinkerHealth Question & Answer


Answers:
I had one last year. Without it I would have been dead before the end of last year, So I am on borrowed time because of it.

My transplant mentor is 5 years out.

And I had a teacher in junior high who had one about 14 years ago.

Transplant is dangerous, and risky. It is not a proceedure to go into lightly or without being informed. Not to mention the huge expense, but I think these are the reasons more people dont go through it. With leukemia, some people think it is best to do transplant during the first remission. I did mine during the 2nd (I was at very very very high risk for relapsing, which is why I said I would have been dead without it. I guess I honestly dont know)

But, for a lot of diseases, it IS a good treatment that does help people live better lives. I can be used to treat leukemia, lymphomas, myleomas, and several non cancerous blood diseases. It is in trials to treat a lot of different auto immune diseases. It can be used on conjunction with other organ transplants to give patients a chance to come off anti rejection meds, and may be a future possible cure to aids.

The transplant is SOOO expensive (and for good reason) and so grueling that I doubt anyone who knew the process would use it as a last ditch death bed attempt. I know I would not have.Health Question & Answer

A bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant can actually provide a very extended remission for certain kinds of cancers. For example, relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma is typically treated with a high dose chemotherapy followed by an auto stem cell transplant. Approximately 50% of those patients will achieve an extended remission -- it is not unusual to see the remission last for years.

So no -- it's not always a "last-ditch procedure."Health Question & Answer

Many are alive and well and free of cancer after bone marrow/stem cell transplant. It has been used last-ditch effort, but more commonly is used earlier now, as the healthier the patient is, the better the potential outcome.

This has little to do with being a free thinker, but rather spending your free time thinking about the data.

What I want to know is this- Who on earth felt compelled to give Midnight's answer a thumbs down.? I hope that was an accident.Health Question & Answer

If it wasn't for my stem cell transplant 2 years and 6 months ago, I wouldn't be here enjoying life.

By the way, your comment is very distasteful especially coming from a third generation free thinker! If you were in a situation where you needed a BMT, would you like someone as kind as you word your question in such a manner.?

I suggest you try a desperate last-ditch effort to learn common courtesy and respect.

Oh, and search the internet. You'll find a lot of success stories.Health Question & Answer

Listen free loser it's not the 50's anymore. You don't even need a donor anymore. The dr's harvest your own stem cells and are able to produce marrow for you.
People like you really piss me off. My husband needs a bone marrow transplant. It's not a death sentence any longer. Grow up!Health Question & Answer

There is a different between being a free-thinker and a callous, immature jerk.

you are the later.

If your have a cancer that is affected by a bone marrow transplant, even 3-4 months extra is a blessing.Health Question & Answer

"As good as dead" ... nice sentiment to express on a cancer forum.

I bet you're not the one getting the transplant.

It saves some peoples' lives. There's your answer.

-- someone who has learned compassion --Health Question & Answer



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