Blood or marrow transplants (BMT) can be used to treat MDS patients with a reported 65% survival rate. BMT’s can often lead to curable results. More than 3,500 allogeneic transplants are performed in the United States each year. BMT replaces the unhealthy blood-forming cells (stem cells) with healthy ones. Disease recurrence after a blood or marrow transplant is possible. This relapse is often difficult to treat.
In a recent study reported by JAMA Oncology, research found that BMT “was associated with an increased risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.” Early detection is necessary due to the aggressive nature of these GI cancers. This study involved 6,710 patients who lived at least 2 years after their blood or marrow transplant.
Elevated cancer risks among BMT recipients:
“Among the most common diagnoses in BMT recipients were non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, and plasma cell dyscrasias. Median age at BMT was 46 years.” 148 patients developed malignant neoplasms in the GI tract at a median of 8.9 years after BMT.
The research concluded, “The findings of this cohort study are relevant for oncologists and non oncologists who care for the growing number of survivors of transplant. Awareness of subgroups of survivors of BMT at high risk for specific types of subsequent malignant neoplasms in the GI tract may influence recommendations regarding modifiable risk factors, as well as individualized screening.”
about the author
Lisa Foster
Lisa Foster is a mom of 3 daughters, a puzzle lover, writer and HealthTree advocate. She believes in the mission of the foundation and the team that builds it forward. She calls Houston, Texas home.
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