Blood stem cells and bone marrow donation: here's what you need to know

Do you know lakhs of patients are diagnosed with grievous diseases every year whose one and the only treatment is stem cell transplant. Hence, blood stem cell donation is very important to save their life. However, it is not mandatory; it totally depends on the individual's will.

Stem cells are basically of two types in a broader sense. They are bone marrow stem cells that get mature inside the bone marrow and later discharged in the blood. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells are needed for treating cancers.

In bone marrow transplantation, the stem cells are accumulated from the bone marrow and later being transferred to the recipient. You know earlier Surgery was the exclusive way to accumulate stem cells to pull up bone marrow stem cells from the bone. Nowadays through modern equipment, it is quite normal to collect stem cells from the blood. This process is called peripheral blood stem cell donation.

There exist certain specific risks in bone marrow donation. The most severe risk is the use of anesthesia during the surgery and its after-effect. There is a possibility of feeling weak and tired; also have difficulty walking for a couple of days. Also, the affected area might feel sore for someday.

In Peripheral blood stem cell donation, the risk is nominal. The medicines which you'll be injected might be painful and can gain headache, muscle pain, nausea and puking but nothing to worry as it usually vanished within a few days as soon as stopping the injection.

The procedure:

1. Talk to a doctor if you want to donate.

2. After explaining the procedure and side effects, a consent form will be provided to you, to sign or not to sign is totally up to you.

3. If you agree, you'll go through a test known as human leukocyte antigen. This test is conducted to see the compatibility of the donors and recipients.

4. If you match with the recipients, you'll undergo further tests to make sure you don't have any genetic or infectious diseases that can be passed to the transplant recipient. You'll also be asked about your health and family conditions for your safety.

5. If you're eligible for a recipient who needs a transplant, the costs of stem cell donation will be paid by that person or by his or her health insurance.

After the procedure:

You'll be proctor after the surgery for some hours in a recovery room. Most donors get discharged the same day, but some need to stay overnight. But find it more painful so the doctor a pain reliever to feel relief from the pain.

Recovery timelines can alter contingent on the patient and type of donation. But most donors can be recovered within a few days or a week after the donation.

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