Background: A
stem cell transplant* may sometimes be medically necessary
for patients with lymphomas.
With a stem cell transplant, the stem cells** obtained from
bone marrow,
peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood are given back to the
patient following high dose treatment, which can damage or ablate
(kill off) these vital cells. The engrafted stem cells
can then restore bone marrow
function** impaired or destroyed by the high dose conditioning
therapy.
A stem cell transplant is sometimes called a bone
marrow transplant.
*The terms stem cell transplant, infusion,
rescue, engraftment, or support may be used
interchangeably and essentially have the same meaning.
** Stem cells are "immature cells
known as hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells.
Hematopoietic stem cells divide to form more blood-forming stem
cells, or they mature into one of three types of blood cells: white
blood cells, which fight infection;
red
blood cells, which carry oxygen; and platelets,
which help the blood to clot. Most hematopoietic stem cells are
found in the bone marrow, but some cells, called peripheral
blood stem cells (PBSCs), are found in the bloodstream. Blood in
the umbilical cord also contains hematopoietic stem cells. Cells
from any of these sources can be used in transplants" [in
order to restore bone marrow function.] - cancer.gov
The different types of
stem cell transplants are named from the origin of the stem cells:
allogeneic - stem cells harvested from donor
(following reduced for full intensity therapy)
autologous - stem cells harvested from self
syngeneic - stem cells harvested from
identical twin
cord blood - stem cells from saved
cord blood, from self or donor
Cord
blood is now being investigated as a source of stem cells for patients
receiving high dose treatment for lymphoma and other cancers.
How are umbilical cord stem cells obtained for
transplantation? Cancer.gov

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