One of the most important functions of the bone marrow is the formation of blood cells. When the marrow is damaged by disease, then this function is compromised as well. This effect is also termed bone marrow failure or suppression depending on the extent to which the impairment has taken place. Stem cell transplant procedures are designed to help restore normalcy by replacing the damaged cells.
The transplantation procedure is helpful for both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions affecting the marrow. Examples of cancerous conditions for which the treatment has been tried successfully include lymphomas, plasma cell malignancies and leukemia among others. Commonly treated non-cancerous conditions include immune deficiencies, aplastic anemia, inborn errors of metabolism and immune deficiencies among others. In all of these cases, bone marrow function is suppressed either fully or partially.
There are a number of effects of stem cells that are beneficial to the management of cancers. If one is on chemotherapy or radiotherapy for a given condition, the therapy reduces the severity of side effects. Both therapies are associated with cellular injury and subsequent reduction in blood cell counts. The therapy helps the body to build enough reserves of cells before the treatments. Other benefits include replacement of damaged bone marrow elements and a direct destructive effect on the cancer cells.
One needs to undergo a number of tests before they can be subjected to the procedure. This is to ascertain that they can withstand it. Typically, the tests take several weeks. The other important step is the placement of a tube known as an intravenous catheter into one of the large blood vessels in the chest or neck. This tube is used to transfuse the cells and other medications.
There are two main types of transplants. The first is made up of cells obtained from you own body and is known as an autologous transplant. These tend to be more successful due to the similarity in immunological properties. The second, allogeneic type, involves the use of cells obtained from another human donor. Complications are common with this type.
Stem cells are collected through a process known as apheresis. This process involves the administration of a growth factor on a daily basis for several weeks before drawing whole blood from a vein. A special machine is used to separate the stem cells from the blood. The rest of the components are returned to the body and the stem cells are frozen to be used when the patient is ready.
You need to be aware of a number of possible risks of this treatment even as you make plans to have it. They include infections, organ damage, infertility, stem cell failure, graft-versus-host disease and cataracts among others. The risk of suffering from any of these complications varies from one person to another. Factors that are likely to determine the severity include the type of condition that is being treated, age of the patient, their general health status and the type of transplant.
Graft versus host disease comes about due to differences in the immunological identity between the stem cells and the host. It is seen in the case of allogeneic implants where the implants are recognized as foreign agents and attacked by the immune system. The symptoms associated with the condition include rashes, abdominal pains, mouth sores, visual disturbances and shortness of breath among others.
The transplantation procedure is helpful for both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions affecting the marrow. Examples of cancerous conditions for which the treatment has been tried successfully include lymphomas, plasma cell malignancies and leukemia among others. Commonly treated non-cancerous conditions include immune deficiencies, aplastic anemia, inborn errors of metabolism and immune deficiencies among others. In all of these cases, bone marrow function is suppressed either fully or partially.
There are a number of effects of stem cells that are beneficial to the management of cancers. If one is on chemotherapy or radiotherapy for a given condition, the therapy reduces the severity of side effects. Both therapies are associated with cellular injury and subsequent reduction in blood cell counts. The therapy helps the body to build enough reserves of cells before the treatments. Other benefits include replacement of damaged bone marrow elements and a direct destructive effect on the cancer cells.
One needs to undergo a number of tests before they can be subjected to the procedure. This is to ascertain that they can withstand it. Typically, the tests take several weeks. The other important step is the placement of a tube known as an intravenous catheter into one of the large blood vessels in the chest or neck. This tube is used to transfuse the cells and other medications.
There are two main types of transplants. The first is made up of cells obtained from you own body and is known as an autologous transplant. These tend to be more successful due to the similarity in immunological properties. The second, allogeneic type, involves the use of cells obtained from another human donor. Complications are common with this type.
Stem cells are collected through a process known as apheresis. This process involves the administration of a growth factor on a daily basis for several weeks before drawing whole blood from a vein. A special machine is used to separate the stem cells from the blood. The rest of the components are returned to the body and the stem cells are frozen to be used when the patient is ready.
You need to be aware of a number of possible risks of this treatment even as you make plans to have it. They include infections, organ damage, infertility, stem cell failure, graft-versus-host disease and cataracts among others. The risk of suffering from any of these complications varies from one person to another. Factors that are likely to determine the severity include the type of condition that is being treated, age of the patient, their general health status and the type of transplant.
Graft versus host disease comes about due to differences in the immunological identity between the stem cells and the host. It is seen in the case of allogeneic implants where the implants are recognized as foreign agents and attacked by the immune system. The symptoms associated with the condition include rashes, abdominal pains, mouth sores, visual disturbances and shortness of breath among others.
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