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The Oncologist: Less is More: The Role of Purging in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

It is likely that the benefit of purging will be dependent upon the tumor type and stage of disease, as well as the degree of purging possible in the individual case. To date, most trials in which progression-free and overall survival have been evaluable have been in hematological malignancies. A six-year single center study showed no benefit of purging in patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma [53], nor did a large study from EBMT [15].

A stem cell transplant* may sometimes be medically necessary for patients with lymphomas. With a stem cell transplant, the stem cells** obtained from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood are given back to the patient following high dose treatment, which can damage or ablate (kill off) these vital cells.The engrafted stem cells can then restore bone marrow function** impaired or destroyed by the high dose conditioning therapy.

A stem cell transplant is sometimes called a bone marrow transplant.

* The terms stem cell transplant, infusion, rescue, engraftment, or support may be used interchangeably and essentially have the same meaning.

** Stem cells are immature cells known as hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells divide to form more blood-forming stem cells, or they mature into one of three types of blood cells: white blood cells, which fight infection; red blood cells, which carry oxygen; and platelets, which help the blood to clot. Most hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow, but some cells, called peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), are found in the bloodstream. Blood in the umbilical cord also contains hematopoietic stem cells. Cells from any of these sources can be used in transplants [in order to restore bone marrow function.] Cancer.gov

The different types of stem cell transplants are named from the origin of the stem cells:

autologous stem cells harvested from self

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Autologous Stem Cell / Bone Marrow Transplant (AutoSCT ...