Bone Marrow Transplantation, which is also known as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) is the only curative treatment option for patients with Thalassaemia Major at the moment. The option of bone marrow transplantation should be offered to patients at an early age before they can actually start developing complications from iron overload from regular blood transfusions. Older patients with iron overload or with inadequate chelation, enlarged liver and spleen are susceptible to adverse complications and outcomes if taken through transplant. 

Patients who have HLA compatible sibling matched donor have the best chances of having a successful bone marrow transplant.  Patients not having the option of HLA compatible sibling matched donor can opt for a matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant provided it meets the high compatibility criteria for both HLA class I and class II loci’s. Donor registries are available where potential donor matches can be explored.