Stofnfrumuígræðsla

Stofnfrumuígræðsla, also known as stem cell transplantation, is a medical procedure involving the infusion of stem cells into a patient's body. These stem cells can be sourced from various places, including the patient's own body (autologous transplant), a donor (allogeneic transplant), or even umbilical cord blood. The primary goal of stem cell transplantation is to restore the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells and to support the immune system.

This therapy is most commonly used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma, where the patient's bone marrow has been damaged by disease or intensive chemotherapy. It can also be employed for non-cancerous conditions like aplastic anemia and certain genetic blood disorders. Before the transplantation, the patient typically undergoes conditioning treatment, often high-dose chemotherapy or radiation, to eliminate diseased cells and make space for the new stem cells.

Following the conditioning, the collected stem cells are infused into the patient's bloodstream. These cells then travel to the bone marrow and begin to engraft, a process where they start producing new blood cells. The recovery period can be lengthy and requires careful monitoring for potential complications, including infections and graft-versus-host disease, where the donor's immune cells attack the recipient's body in allogeneic transplants. Despite the risks, stem cell transplantation remains a vital treatment option for many serious illnesses.