A 36-year-old member asked:
Sickle cell disease bone marrow transplant. is that working out or not?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Juan Sanabriaanswered
Transplant Surgery 38 years experience
No clear results.: There is not level 1 evidence to show bone marrow transplant increases survival in patients with sickle cell disease. Although there are several reports with success a systematic randomized trial remains to be done. Bone marrow transplant is a procedure with multiple complications. After the procedure the recipient has to take meds for life. Cost/effective therapy analyses are not present.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
31 years experience
For select patients: Bone marrow transplant can cure patients with sickle cell disease, however this procedure has significant risks (including death). There is emerging evidence that the earlier one is transplanted for sickle cell disease, the better the outcome. This is a difficult decision to make since many with sickle cell have mild disease. Deciding who should be transplanted and when is not straight forward.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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