immune disorders
Stem Cell Transplantation
Complications of Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem cell transplantation is risky because the recipient’s white blood cells have been destroyed or reduced in number by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. As a result, the risk of infection is very high for about 2 to 3 weeks—until the donated stem cells can produce enough white blood cells to protect against infections. The risk of infection can be reduced by keeping the recipient in isolation for a period of time (until the transplanted cells begin to produce white blood cells). During this time, everyone entering the room must wear masks and gowns and wash their hands thoroughly. The recipient is given Colony-stimulating factors, which stimulate the production of blood cells (including white blood cells, which help fight infection) Antimicrobial drugs to help reduce the risk of infection The new bone marrow obtained from another person may produce cells that attack the recipient’s cells, causing Graft-versus-host disease . This disease causes death in about 20 to 40% of people who develop it. So if the bone marrow came from another person, recipients are given Suppression of the Immune System to prevent graft-versus-host disease and rejection. Whether the original disorder returns depends on What the original disorder was How severe it was What type of transplant was used The original disorder returns in 40 to 75% of people who are given their own stem cells 10 to 40% of people who are given stem cells from other people 