Bone marrow, also known as "marrow", is a gelatinous tissue located inside the bones, where the blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) are formed.
The bone marrow may be red or yellow. The first is responsible for the production of blood cells, while the latter is formed only by fat and does not produce blood cells.
In newborn babies, the bone marrow is all red. In adults, red bone marrow is found only in the flat bones (sternum, ribs, skull), in the vertebrae column and long bones of the body, such as the femur (thigh bone) and humerus (arm bone). As the person ages, the red bone marrow of the long bones is replaced by greasy tissue and becomes yellow.
It is in the red bone marrow that the blood cells are produced: erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells) and platelets.
RBCs are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body and also carry the carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs to be eliminated through breathing.
Leukocytes are part of the immune system, are the defense cells that protect the body against infections and invading agents.
Platelets are responsible for blood clotting. It is these cells that interrupt a bleeding and stop the person from bleeding without stopping.
O Bone marrow transplant is indicated in cases of diseases that seriously affect the production of blood cells, such as leukemias, aplastic anemia, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, autoimmune diseases, among others.
The transplant consists of replacing the diseased marrow with normal bone marrow cells, so that the person's body returns to producing blood cells. The bone marrow used in transplantation may be from the patient himself (autogenic transplant) or from a donor (allogeneic transplant).
Transplantation can also be performed from cells that will give rise to new bone marrow cells obtained through umbilical cord blood or a donor.
Learn more at: How is bone marrow transplantation done?
The hematologist is the specialist responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the bone marrow.
