What are bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells?
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) are procedures that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. There are three types of transplants: • In autologoustransplants, patients receive their own stem cells. • In syngeneic transplants, patients receive stem cells from their identical twin. • In allogeneictransplants, patients receive stem cells from their brother, sister, or parent. A person who is not related to the patient (an unrelated donor) also may be used.
Related Questions
- Do you think people get confused between obtaining stem cells from un-needed embryos, bone marrow, and now umbilical cord blood? Is the confusion understandable, or is at all the same science?
- What is the difference between cord blood stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and bone marrow stem cells?
- Are there any religions against donating bone marrow or stem cells?
