The bone marrow plays a vital role in the synthesis of blood cells. Unfortunately, its functions may be impaired in the presence of a number of conditions. This is popularly known as bone marrow suppression or bone marrow failure and has far reaching repercussions. Stem cell transplant helps restore these functions by infusing normal cells into the body as a replacement of those that have been damaged.
Bone marrow transplants may be done to treat both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. Examples of cancerous conditions that can be treated using this intervention include leukemia, lymphomas and plasma cell malignancies. Non-cancerous conditions in which benefits have been demonstrated include aplastic anemia, amyloidosis, immune deficiencies and inborn errors of metabolism among others. In all these cases, the function of the bone marrow has either been suppressed or shut down.
Three mechanisms are involved in the management of cancers using stem cells. For persons that are on treatment by either chemotherapy or radiation for one type of cancer or the other. The treatment helps them build enough reserves of cells before destruction by either of the two therapies. The second benefit is the fact that damaged bone marrow elements (due to cancer) can be replaced by the infusion of newer cellular elements. The third is that the treatment can help kill some cancer cells directly.
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.
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.
The process that is employed in preparing an individual and collecting stem cells is called aphaeresis. The initial step is the administration of growth factors that increase the number of the cells before they are collected after a few weeks. Blood that is collected from a vein is put into a machine and allowed to separate. The cells are frozen and used at the appropriate time.
Several complications may be encountered while undergoing this treatment. The most commonly encountered include infertility, organ damage, stem cell failure, infections and graft-versus host disease among others. The risk is variable and depends on a number of factors such as general health status, age, the condition that is being treated and the type of transplant that is involved (whether autologous or allogeneic).
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.
Bone marrow transplants may be done to treat both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. Examples of cancerous conditions that can be treated using this intervention include leukemia, lymphomas and plasma cell malignancies. Non-cancerous conditions in which benefits have been demonstrated include aplastic anemia, amyloidosis, immune deficiencies and inborn errors of metabolism among others. In all these cases, the function of the bone marrow has either been suppressed or shut down.
Three mechanisms are involved in the management of cancers using stem cells. For persons that are on treatment by either chemotherapy or radiation for one type of cancer or the other. The treatment helps them build enough reserves of cells before destruction by either of the two therapies. The second benefit is the fact that damaged bone marrow elements (due to cancer) can be replaced by the infusion of newer cellular elements. The third is that the treatment can help kill some cancer cells directly.
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.
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.
The process that is employed in preparing an individual and collecting stem cells is called aphaeresis. The initial step is the administration of growth factors that increase the number of the cells before they are collected after a few weeks. Blood that is collected from a vein is put into a machine and allowed to separate. The cells are frozen and used at the appropriate time.
Several complications may be encountered while undergoing this treatment. The most commonly encountered include infertility, organ damage, stem cell failure, infections and graft-versus host disease among others. The risk is variable and depends on a number of factors such as general health status, age, the condition that is being treated and the type of transplant that is involved (whether autologous or allogeneic).
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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