We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation?

By H. Colledge
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,250
References
Share

Peripheral stem cell transplantation, or peripheral stem cell support, is a process in which stem cells are collected from blood and given to a patient in order to replace missing bone marrow. It is often used during cancer treatment, particularly for patients with lymphoma or leukemia, because some high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments can destroy bone marrow. In the final part of peripheral stem cell transplantation, stem cells are infused into the blood stream, where they travel to the bone marrow and develop into blood cells. The branch of medicine concerned with the blood is known as hematology.

Stem cells used in peripheral stem cell transplantation may be collected from a compatible donor, or from the patient before the start of cancer treatment. If the patient's own stem cells are not used, close relatives such as siblings are often the most suitable donors. This is because the risk of side effects, associated with the body rejecting a transplant, is lower when donated stem cells match the patient's own cells as nearly as possible.

The first part of peripheral stem cell transplantation involves a technique known as apheresis, which is used to extract stem cells from blood. Normally, stem cells are located in bone marrow, so drugs are given which stimulate the marrow to produce stem cells and release them into the circulation. The transplantation medicine is injected daily for a number of days before apheresis is carried out.

During the apheresis procedure, a tube called a catheter is inserted into a vein in the arm. Over a period of up to four hours, blood is drawn out through the catheter and flows into a machine which collects the stem cells. Leftover blood goes back to the patient through another catheter or through a second channel in the original tube. When cancer patients collect their own cells for peripheral stem cell transplantation the bone marrow may be suppressed and, if not enough stem cells are harvested, apheresis may need to be repeated. Sometimes additional drugs can be used to boost stem cell production.

Stem cells are normally frozen and stored until required. Once patients have completed their high-dose cancer treatments the stem cells are infused into a vein in a process resembling blood transfusion. This part of peripheral stem cell transplantation takes up to five hours. After reaching the bone marrow, stem cells develop into red and white blood cells and platelets.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-peripheral-stem-cell-transplantation.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.