The process of stem cell collection, also known as stem cell harvesting, can be performed in two main ways: bone marrow collection and peripheral blood stem cell collection.
Bone Marrow Collection: This involves extracting stem cells directly from the bone marrow, usually from the hip bone. It is performed under anesthesia to minimize discomfort. Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection: This method involves mobilizing stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream using growth factors. The stem cells are then collected via a process called apheresis, where blood is drawn from the patient, processed to separate the stem cells, and the remaining blood is returned to the patient.
