Bone marrow transplants (BMT) are treatments for blood, immune system or genetic disorders. The most common diseases treated by BMT are cancers, inherited immune disorders and sickle cell disease. A donor provides the cells used in allogeneic transplants and is usually a family member or someone with a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match between the blood of the patient and the blood of the donor. Risks exist for the donor.
Complications from Drawing Blood
Blood is drawn from the potential donor to determine if a match exists to the patient. The risk to the donor is minimal, with bruising or bleeding at the needle site as potential complications.
Complications from Filgrastim
Donors take a drug call filgrastim for five days before donating cells to increase the available circulating stem cells. Side effects of the drug include headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle and joint aches and feeling tired.
Complications from Collecting Peripheral Blood Stem Cells
Taking cells from the blood stream, called apheresis, is similar to donating blood. Sterile equipment is used so there is minimal risk of infection. Bruising may occur at the site where the needle is inserted to remove the cells. As the PBSCs are filtered from the blood, the donor may feel dizzy, have chills, or experience numbness, tingling or cramping.
Complications from Collecting Blood Stem Cells from Bone Marrow
Taking blood stem cells from bone marrow requires a surgical procedure to remove cells from the hip bone (pelvic bone). The liquid marrow inside the hip bone is removed during the procedure, using a large needle. Risks include pain or soreness at the site.
Complications from Anesthesia
The donor may be put to sleep (general anesthesia) or have a regional anesthesia when removing cells from the bone marrow. Risks from regional anesthesia may include nerve damage or, if the medication is absorbed too rapidly, heart and lung complications. General anesthesia complications are usually not a problem in healthy individuals but may include aspiration pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, blood pressure changes and malignant hyperthermia.
Complications from a Central Line Catheter
In rare cases when the veins in the donor's arm are small, a central line catheter (tube) may be placed to remove cells. Risks include bleeding, infection or pneumothorax (air trapped between the skin and lungs).
Long Term Complications from Donation
Donors are carefully evaluated before being accepted to donate cells and are usually very healthy individuals, which minimizes risks. Only 5 percent of a donor's cells are removed, so the immune system is not affected and cells come back in several weeks. Long term complications are rare.
