your widget

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Donation & Transplantation of Bone Marrow

It is possible to take hematopoietic stem cells from one person and then infuse them into another person (Allogenic) or into the same person at a later time (Autologous). If donor and recipient are compatible, these infused cells will then travel to the bone marrow and initiate blood cell production.

Transplantation from one person to another is performed in severe cases of disease of the bone marrow. The patient's marrow is first killed off with drugs or radiation, and then the new stem cells are introduced
Source: Wikipedia
Where is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of bones. In adults, marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. It constitutes 4% of total body weight, i.e. approximately 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs.) in adults

What is Bone Marrow Transplantation?
When a patient is affected by genetic diseases and diseases like leukemia and aplastic anemia, the bone marrow becomes unhealthy. To such patients and to patients for whome the bone marry becomes unhealthy a Bone marrow transplantation becomes necessary.

The process involves injecting healthy stem cells in the place of unhealthy ones. This may overtime cure the disease or prevent the disease from spreading further.

Types of Bone Marry Transplants
Autologous bone marrow transplant - Bone marrow donation by the affected person intself.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplant - Bone marrow donation by another person whose tissue matches the recipient's genetic type.


The Need and Ease of Bone Marrow Donation


No comments: