stem cell transplants

Question 1

what are stem cell transplants?

Answer 1

replacing damaged cells with healthy stem cells which can differentiate to blood cells

Question 2

location of stem cells

Answer 2

bone marrow (spongy)- largest number
blood (small amount of immature stem cells leave into bloodstream)
umbilical chord

Question 3

what provides totipotent stem cells

Answer 3

umbilical chord

Question 4

types of stem cell transplants

Answer 4

autologous = stem cells removed from patients blood and given after treatment
allogenic = donor/family member gives stem cells to patient

Question 5

indications for stem cell transplants

Answer 5

severe aplastic anaemia (bone marrow failure)
blood cancers
- leukaemia (cancer of myeloblasts/lymphoblasts)
- lymphoma (cancer of lymphocytes)
- multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells)
blood disorders
- sickle cell - mutated Hb => anaemia
- thalassemia - mutated beta globin chains => anaemia
Hurlers- hereditary lysosomal storage disease (can’t break sugars down)
Severe combined immunodeficiency (mutations in genes involved in development/function of immune cells)

Question 6

complications of stem cell transplants

Answer 6

Graft vs Host disease (months/years after transplant)
- dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth, itchy rash, jaundice, nausea

Before transplants => chemo to kill unhealthy cells
- chemo side effects => tired, hair loss, nausea/diarrhoea
- reduced blood cells => anaemia, infections, XS bleeding

Question 7

prognosis of stem cell transplants

Answer 7

80% live >20 years after transplant
can be curative