NMRRC HAS STARTED PERFORMING BONE MARROW HARVESTING

Hematologic malignancies affecting the lymphatic and hematopoietic systems often have an aggressive course and are frequently diagnosed in young patients. These conditions require advanced diagnostic and treatment methods, including complex invasive procedures.

Today, we will discuss one such procedure – bone marrow harvesting. Oncology hematologist Artem Vovchenko from the A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre, – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, explains the essence of the method, its indications, and key aspects.

“Hematopoietic stem cells form the foundation for the production of all types of blood cells. This enables them to fully restore the hematopoietic and immune systems of the human body. Therefore, they are used to treat severe diseases such as acute and chronic leukemias, lymphomas, aplastic anemia, and certain serious hereditary diseases. Bone marrow harvesting, in turn, is one way to obtain hematopoietic stem cells. This method is applied when standard approaches do not allow for the collection of the required quantity of cells,” says Artem Vovchenko.

During the bone marrow harvesting procedure, marrow is extracted from the pelvic bone using a special needle. The procedure is performed in sterile operating room conditions, requiring precision and care. To eliminate pain and ensure patient comfort, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

“The choice of anesthesia is individualized and determined by the anesthesiologist based on the patient’s condition. During the procedure, the patient lies face down while the medical team operates on both sides of the surgical table. The material is extracted by puncturing the sacral region of the pelvic bone, as this area is close to the skin surface and provides easy access. In rare cases, if extraction from the pelvic bone is not possible, the material can be obtained from the sternum,” explains the doctor.

The bone marrow harvesting procedure takes approximately two hours. After extraction, the bone marrow is meticulously cleaned of bone tissue and blood residues and then cryopreserved – frozen for long-term storage. Following this, the patient undergoes treatment with high-dose drugs, which often have a destructive effect on both malignant and healthy cells in the body. When the patient’s immune system is most weakened, a suspension of hematopoietic stem cells is introduced into their body. These cells gradually “populate” the bone marrow, initiating the process of restoring hematopoiesis and supporting the immune function of the body.

The Center offers a comprehensive range of methods for collecting hematopoietic stem cells, allowing for an individualized approach to each patient’s treatment. Highly qualified specialists utilize the latest technologies to successfully restore hematopoietic and immune systems. To consult with a hematologist and schedule an appointment, please call the contact center at +7 (800) 250-87-00.