WHAT IS LEUKEMIA?
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE WITH LEUKEMIA?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. It begins in the bone marrow, where white blood cells replicate abnormally, called leukemia cells. They grow quicker than normal cells do and when they should cease to grow, they continue to increase in size. As time progresses, leukemia cells can overpopulate the normal cells. This is dangerous because it can lead to anemia, bleeding, and infections. There are many types of leukemia.
WHAT IS
REQUIRED BEFORE STEM CELL TREATMENT?
Before a stem cell transplant for leukemia can occur, there must be intenstive treatment to destroy as many leukemia cells as possible. Also, high doses of chemotherapy, radiation, total body irradiation, and a "mini-allogeneic transplant" possibly could be given prior to the transplant. The mini-allogenic transplant utilizes lower, less toxic doses of chemotherapy. Once this preparative regimen is complete, the patient is prepared to undergo the transplant. Much like a blood transfusion, the patient will receive the stem cells intravenously. This procedure takes about an hour. When the stem cells enter the bloodstream, they travel to the bone marrow and start to make new blood cells in a process known as engraftment. In the months following the transplant, the patient's care team will monitor their blood counts. They may need transfusions of red blood cells and platelets. Sometimes, these intensive treatments may cause infections. If this is the case, the patient's doctor may administer antibiotics intravenously. If the patient had an allogeneic stem cell transplant, the patient's doctor may prescribe certain drugs to reduce risks of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), which is a condition where the donated cells attack the patient's tissues.(Citation 32)
(Photo 52)
(Photo 51)
Stem cell treatment is available for patients with Leukemia. Stem cell transplants for Leukemia patients are called Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Transplantation, which infuse blood-forming stem cells into the body. Locations for stem cells can be obtained from the bone marrow, circulating (peripheral) blood, and umbilical cord blood.
The 2 main types of stem cell transplant for Leukemia are:
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Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
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Stem cells are collected from the patient's blood, are harvested, frozen, and stored until needed, then transplanted back into the body after a high dose of chemotheraphy or radiation has occured to destroy the cancer cells
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Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant
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Stem cells are taken from a matching donor
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These donors can be from a relative/sibling, unrelated individual, or umbilical cord blood
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In order to determine whether or not the stem cells are the right match, a test is conducted called the HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens)-Where the patient's blood and tissue type are matched with the donor's blood
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The person's blood should contain all healthy cells, and malignant cells are not permissible.
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Stem cell transplants allow Leukemia patients to restore healthy bone marrow through helping stimulate new bone marrow and restoring the immune system.
(Citation 13, 32)
SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TREATMENT
Sometimes, these intensive treatments may cause infections. If this is the case, the patient's doctor may administer antibiotics intraveneously. If the patient had an allogeneic stem cell transplant, the patient's doctor may prescribe certain drugs to reduce risks of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), which is a condition where the donated cells attack the patient's tissues (Citation 32)