Stem cell transplants are a crucial part of cancer treatment, but many people are unaware of what exactly they do to the body. Contrary to popular belief, stem cell transplants do not directly fight against cancer. Instead, they restore the body's ability to produce new blood cells after undergoing intense chemotherapy and other treatments like radiation therapy. However, this process can be physically and mentally taxing, with side effects such as hair loss, rash, swelling, weight changes, and decreased sexual desire. Once the stem cells are infused into the body, they travel through the bloodstream to the bone marrow.
Here, they begin to divide and produce new blood cells in a process known as grafting. Typically, grafting occurs within the first 30 days after the transplant, but it can sometimes take longer. Doctors will monitor the patient's blood counts daily to see if their bone marrow has started producing new blood cells. As the graft takes place, the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the patient's body begins to increase. Daily blood tests are conducted to track the levels of these different types of blood cells until doctors observe a steady increase in their count.
Whether the stem cells are donated or from the patient's own body, the process is similar to receiving medication through a central venous catheter. The embryos used in embryonic stem cell research are obtained from eggs fertilized in in vitro fertilization clinics but were never implanted in women's uteruses. This type of research has sparked controversy and ethical debates. Receiving a stem cell transplant for cancer can have a significant impact on one's relationships with family and friends due to the stress and emotional toll of battling cancer. In some cases, primary graft failure may occur, meaning that the transplanted stem cells have not started producing new blood cells within the first 3 to 4 weeks after the transplant. To prevent the rejection of donor stem cells, allogeneic transplants are used, which suppress the immune system.
This can also lead to an effect called graft-versus-tumor or graft-versus-leukemia, which can occur after transplants using stem cells from a donor. If you are interested in participating in a stem cell transplant clinical trial, you can use the advanced clinical trial search form or contact the NCI Cancer Information Service. Stem cells have been a hot topic in the news, and many people wonder if they could potentially help with serious illnesses. However, as everyone responds differently to stem cell transplants, doctors and nurses cannot predict how the procedure will make each individual feel. In some cases, groups of cells can be removed from a stem cell line and frozen for storage or sharing with other researchers. Eye problems are a common side effect that may appear one year after a stem cell transplant, but they can also occur several years later.
Out of all types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells are the most versatile as they have the potential to become any cell in the developing fetus. When cancer or cancer treatments destroy stem cells, stem cell transplantation (SCT) may be the best treatment option. To determine if a donor's stem cells are compatible with the patient's own, they will be tested for HLA (human leukocyte antigens).Researchers have made significant progress in using stem cells to treat various conditions. For instance, they have been able to reprogram normal connective tissue cells into functional heart cells.
This breakthrough has opened up new possibilities for treating heart disease and other illnesses.
