How Does a Stem Cell Transplant Work in Cancer Treatment?
Stem cell transplants are used to restore the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells after it has been damaged by high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The procedure involves several steps:
Collection: Stem cells are collected from either the patient or a donor. Conditioning: The patient undergoes vigorous treatment to destroy any remaining cancer cells and to create space in the bone marrow for the new stem cells. Transplantation: The collected stem cells are infused into the patient's bloodstream, where they travel to the bone marrow and begin to produce new blood cells. Engraftment: The new stem cells grow and establish in the bone marrow, leading to the production of new, healthy blood cells.
