Bone Marrow Transplant for Breast Cancer Treatment

Bone marrow transplants have been used to treat patients with certain forms of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer. The goal of such a transplant in women with breast cancer was to allow them to undergo high-dose chemotherapy -- which aggressively attacks the cancer cells, but also damages normal blood cells. Bone marrow transplant then replaces the damaged cells with healthy ones.

However, according to the National Breast Cancer Coalition, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow or stem cell transplant for the treatment of breast cancer. Results from studies on women with breast cancer have not shown this treatment to be more effective than standard therapy.

What Is Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside bone. The three kinds of blood cells that the body needs to function -- oxygen-carrying red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells, and clot-forming platelets -- are all made in the bone marrow.

Who Is a Candidate For a Bone Marrow Transplant?

The decision to prescribe a bone marrow transplant is always made on an individual basis. Your doctor will consider your age, general physical condition, diagnosis and stage of disease. Your doctor will also make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of the transplant procedure.

Where Does the Transplanted Bone Marrow Come From?

Bone marrow given during a transplant either comes from you or from a donor whose bone marrow "matches" yours.

The matching process is called human leukocyte antigen testing (HLA testing). A series of blood tests evaluate the compatibility or closeness of tissue between the donor and recipient. These test results are used to help the tissue-typing lab match a bone marrow transplant donor to you.

What Happens Before the Transplant?

A number of tests are performed before the bone marrow transplant procedure to make sure you are physically able to undergo a transplant. These tests also help the transplant team identify and treat any potential problems before the transplant.

Your heart, lungs and kidney function will be tested. Your doctor may also order blood tests, a CAT scan and a bone marrow biopsy. A complete dental examination is required before the procedure to minimize your risk of infection, and other precautions will be taken as necessary to minimize the risk of infection.

The tests required before the bone marrow transplant are usually done on an outpatient basis. Your transplant coordinator will help arrange these tests for you.

Central Venous Catheter Placement

Before the bone marrow transplant can be performed, a central venous catheter is inserted through a vein in your chest during a simple surgical procedure. A central venous catheter is a slender, hollow, flexible tube that allows fluids, nutrition solutions, antibiotics, chemotherapy or blood products to be delivered directly into your bloodstream without repeatedly having to insert a needle into your vein. The catheter can also be used to collect blood samples.