What is the difference between a stem cell transplant and a bone marrow transplant?
Until now, the most common way to transfer stem cells from one person to another has been through bone marrow transplantation, which is a complex and risky procedure. Cord blood transplantation eliminates many of the problems associated with bone marrow transplants should your child need such treatment sometime in the future. If your child’s own cord blood stem cells are available, you do not have to look for a suitable match, the painful bone marrow extraction procedure will not be necessary, and the transplant will not be rejected.
In a BMT the stem cells are taken directly from the bone marrow with a needle that’s inserted into the bone. In a PBSCT they are taken from the bloodstream via IV. Why do they do stem cell transplants? The main purpose of both a PBSCT and a BMT in cancer treatment is to make it possible for patients to receive very high doses of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy generally affects cells that divide rapidly (cancer cells, hair cells, bone marrow cells) and this is why people on chemotherapy can lose their hair. Being that bone marrow cells divide frequently, high-dose treatments of chemotherapy can severely damage or destroy the patient’s bone marrow. Without healthy bone marrow, the patient is no longer able to make the blood cells needed to carry oxygen, defend against infection, and prevent bleeding. How do they do stem cell transplants? In Rachel’s case, they will insert an IV into either her groin area or her chest. The blood will be taken from either this IV or from her port and will go t
