The bone marrow is the synthetic center of all the cells that make up our blood. It is at times affected by some conditions compromising its function. This is also known as bone marrow failure or bone marrow suppression. Stem cell transplant is a process in which healthy cells are infused into the body to replace those that have been damaged in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow transplants have been successfully used in the management of both malignant and non-malignant conditions. Some of the cancers that may be treated by this form of therapy include lymphomas, plasma cell cancers and leukemia among others. Examples of non-cancerous conditions that are likely to benefit include amyloidosis, aplastic anemia, inborn errors of metabolism and immune deficiencies. The underlying problem in all these conditions is partial or complete bone marrow shutdown.
When it comes to cancer treatment, bone marrow transplants help in a number of ways. One of the benefits is the fact they permit the use of chemotherapy or radiation that may be needed for the management of some cancers. These two modalities usually lead to destruction of normal cells and having enough reserves prevents deficiencies. The second major benefit is that they replace marrow damaged by cancerous processes. The third is that they help kill cancer cells directly in some cases.
There are a number of tests that are required before one is taken through the treatment. The tests will help your doctor decide whether or not you are fit enough to have the therapy. It takes a few days to weeks for some of them to be completed. As part of the preparation, you will have a tube (or catheter) placed in your chest or neck region to be used in administering the cells.
Two main types of implants exist; autologous and allogeneic. In the autologous type, the donor and the recipient are the same person. Since the cells are the same in this case, there is virtually no risk of rejection. This is in contrast to the allogeneic type where the stem cells are obtained from another human being. The differences that exist between their tissues increases the risk of complications.
The process of collecting the stem cells is known as apheresis. It starts with the administration of a growth factor for a few weeks so as to increase production. Your blood will be collected from a vein and then put into a special machine that separates the various components. Stem cells are separated from the blood and frozen to be used at the appropriate time. The rest of the blood is returned to the body.
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 is usually encountered in some cases of allogeneic implants. This is because the cells in this case are perceived as being foreign and are for this reason attacked by the immune system of the recipient. The symptoms of this condition include joint pains, severe cough, shortness of breath, rashes, mouth sores, abdominal pains and visual disturbances among others.
Bone marrow transplants have been successfully used in the management of both malignant and non-malignant conditions. Some of the cancers that may be treated by this form of therapy include lymphomas, plasma cell cancers and leukemia among others. Examples of non-cancerous conditions that are likely to benefit include amyloidosis, aplastic anemia, inborn errors of metabolism and immune deficiencies. The underlying problem in all these conditions is partial or complete bone marrow shutdown.
When it comes to cancer treatment, bone marrow transplants help in a number of ways. One of the benefits is the fact they permit the use of chemotherapy or radiation that may be needed for the management of some cancers. These two modalities usually lead to destruction of normal cells and having enough reserves prevents deficiencies. The second major benefit is that they replace marrow damaged by cancerous processes. The third is that they help kill cancer cells directly in some cases.
There are a number of tests that are required before one is taken through the treatment. The tests will help your doctor decide whether or not you are fit enough to have the therapy. It takes a few days to weeks for some of them to be completed. As part of the preparation, you will have a tube (or catheter) placed in your chest or neck region to be used in administering the cells.
Two main types of implants exist; autologous and allogeneic. In the autologous type, the donor and the recipient are the same person. Since the cells are the same in this case, there is virtually no risk of rejection. This is in contrast to the allogeneic type where the stem cells are obtained from another human being. The differences that exist between their tissues increases the risk of complications.
The process of collecting the stem cells is known as apheresis. It starts with the administration of a growth factor for a few weeks so as to increase production. Your blood will be collected from a vein and then put into a special machine that separates the various components. Stem cells are separated from the blood and frozen to be used at the appropriate time. The rest of the blood is returned to the body.
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 is usually encountered in some cases of allogeneic implants. This is because the cells in this case are perceived as being foreign and are for this reason attacked by the immune system of the recipient. The symptoms of this condition include joint pains, severe cough, shortness of breath, rashes, mouth sores, abdominal pains and visual disturbances among others.
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