HSCT is a process
in which there is intravenous infusion of progenitor cells and hematopoietic
stem cells to revive normal hematopoiesis. When stem cells are taken from
patient’s own body, this is called autologous HSCT. When stem cells are taken
from identical twin of the patient, this is called syngeneic HSCT. When stem
cells are taken from body other than patient (siblings), this is called
allogeneic HSCT.
During the
procedure, autologous or allogeneic stem cells are infused into veins in order
to restore normal hematopoietic function. Evaluation of health status: It involves
following steps (complete history and physical exam, Evaluation of your
psychological and emotional strengths, HLA tissue typing, Blood tests, such as
a complete blood count, blood chemistries, and screening for viruses like
hepatitis B, CMV, and HIV, CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging), ECG or echocardiogram, chest x-ray and PFTs (pulmonary
function tests).
Conditioning
treatment: It is also known as bone marrow preparation, is treatment with
high-dose chemo and/or radiation therapy. It’s the first step in the transplant
process and usually it takes a couple of weeks. Infusion of stem cells:
Infusion of cells is done through central venous catheter, much like a blood
transfusion. If frozen stem cells are taken, patient might get some drugs
before the stem cells are given. These drugs are used to prevent the reaction
to the preservatives that are used when freezing the cells.
Stem cell
transplantation is curative in a number of otherwise fatal hematological
diseases.
In an autologous
transplant, stem cells are collected from the patient themselves, harvested,
frozen and stored, then given back to the patient after intensive therapy. An
autologous stem cell transplant is different from an allogeneic stem cell
transplant, which uses stem cells from a matching donor.
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