Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is a new
technique in which stem cells are obtained
from a patient's blood and used in bone marrow transplantation.
Stem cells are small, round cells with a squat nucleus and scant
surrounding cytoplasm. Although unremarkable in appearance, stem
cells can perform what have been called "acts of biological
resurrection."
Whereas other types of cells in the body have a
limited lifespan and die after dividing their endowed number of
times, a stem cell can reproduce forever. The stem cell is immortal
(in cellular terms).
A stem cell can forgo immortality and turn into an ordinary blood
cell, a red blood cell (an erythrocyte), a white blood cell (a
leukocyte), or a large cell (a megakaryocyte) that fragments into the
platelets needed for blood to clot.
A relatively small number of stem cells can miraculously repopulate the
whole bone marrow, provide an endless supply of stem cells,
reconstitute the entire repertory of blood cells, and restore the
immune system.
Under normal circumstances, stem cells are rarely seen in the blood stream. To recruit enough stem cells into the blood, stem cells are lured out of the bone marrow by a special regimen of drugs and coaxed into entering the peripheral blood (the blood stream).
Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells in which the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal. Strictly speaking, leukemia should refer only to cancer of the white blood cells (the leukocytes) but in practice it can apply to malignancy of any cellular element in the blood or bone marrow, as in red cell leukemia (erythroleukemia).
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include bone pain, weakness, extreme thirst, nausea, frequent urination, and broken bones. Treatment of multiple myeloma depends upon the staging and symptoms of the disease.
Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, and painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin. Treatment for adult Hodgkin's disease depends on the staging of the disease, the lymph nodes' size, and the health of the patient.
Stem cells are referred to as undifferentiated cells due to the fact that they have not yet committed to a developmental path to form specific organ tissue. There are a variety of types of stem cells to include embryonic, fetal, adult peripheral blood, umbilical cord, and induced pluripotent stem cells.
While the exact cause(s) of leukemia is not known,
risk factors have been identified.
Leukemias are grouped by how quickly the disease
develops (acute or chronic) as well as by the type of blood cell that is
affected (lymphocytes or myelocytes). The four main types of leukemia include acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), and chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML).
People with leukemia are at significantly increased
risk for developing infections, anemia, and bleeding. Other symptoms and signs include easy bruising, weight loss, night sweats, and unexplained
fevers.
The diagnosis of leukemia is supported by findings of the
medical history and examination, and examining blood
and bone marrow samples under a microscope.
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