Stem cells are cells within the body that are not differentiated, which means they can reproduce and form other cells of varying functions. The only existing treatment currently in clinical practice that utilizes stem cells is a bone marrow transplant. This procedure is used to replenish the stem cells within the bone marrow, which produces red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells.
Bone Marrow Replenishing
Bone marrow stem cell treatment can be given intravenously, which means that surgery generally is not needed. When the stem cells are infused into the blood, they travel throughout the body until they encounter space within the bone marrow that is devoid of cells. These stem cells then stay in these areas and repopulate the bone marrow, according to MedLinePlus a service of the National Institutes of Health.
Side Effects
After stem cells have been infused, a patient may experience a number of common side effects, including hives, pain and fever or chills. Patients may also experience nausea, a headache, shortness of breath, a sudden drop in blood pressure or a funny taste in the mouth. These side effects are the result of the effects of the stem cells as they move to repopulate the damaged bone marrow.
Infection Risk
After a patient has received stem cell treatment, the immune system is still very weak because the bone marrow needs time to regain full functionality. As a result, patients have an increased risk of infection. During the first month after the treatment, patients are at risk of developing infection from bacteria, fungi and the herpes simplex virus, the Cleveland Clinic notes. In the second month, bacterial and fungal infections are still possible, as well as infections from the cytomegalovirus and other viruses. In the third month, the main infection risks are from fungi, bacteria and the varicella zoster virus. During this time, patients need to take their temperature twice a day to detect infections early and should take precautions to avoid potential sources of infection.
Graft Vs. Host Disease
One risk of receiving transplanted stem cells is graft vs. host disease, in which the immune cells generated by the transplant attack the normal cells in a patient's body. If the patient is able to receive stem cells taken from his own blood, an identical twin or from cord blood that was harvested at his birth, there is no risk of this condition. If the stem cells are from another person, medications may be needed to prevent this dangerous complication.
Recovery
It can take up to six months for a patient to resume normal activities after a stem cell treatment, as during this time the immune system is still very weak. During the first two to four months the patient needs to rest at home and come into a hospital or clinic several times a week to have her health monitored. It may take up to a year for the bone marrow to regain full functionality. After this time, however, most patients can have a complete recovery with no long-term effects from the treatment.
