How are Stem Cells Harvested?

Stem cells have been proven to be beneficial for medical advances.  It is supported by several clinical studies that stem cells can improve the growth rate of new skin tissue and boost the production of collagen. Different procedures have to be performed when stem cells are harvested.  If you want to know the answer to the question 'how are stem cells harvested?' this article can guide you.

 

How are Stem Cells Harvested in Bone Marrows?

 

The study shows that stem cells found in our bone marrow are 10 to 100 times more concentrated than the circulating or peripheral blood.  A large amount of bone marrow can be found on the human hipbone containing considerable stem cells.  To harvest stem cells in our bone marrow, the donor must undergo a general anesthetic or an epidural.  The doctor will then make multiple small punctures on the skin located over the hip.  A special needle will then be inserted on the several holes straight into the pelvic bone and the bone marrow.  After that, it is now possible for the doctor to extract bone marrow using a syringe. 

 

The process of extracting bone marrow and blood is continuously done until there are enough stem cells harvested.  The whole process could take up to 2 hours.  The amount of blood and bone marrow gathered on a donor depends on the weight and the concentrated bone marrow present.  After extracting enough stem cells, the doctor will cover the punctures with bandages.  The collected substance will then undergo a filtering process to remove bone fragments and other particles such as fats.  After a few hours of recovering from the anesthetic, the donor can now leave the hospital.  However, there are some cases where the donor needs to stay in the hospital longer.  Swelling and pain in the hip area of the donor can also occur for days.

 

How are Stem Cells Harvested in the Peripheral Blood?

 

There is a slight difference in the process conducted for autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants.  An autologous transplant uses the recipient's own stem cell.  Before the transplant, the person may be given chemotherapy.  Chemotherapy suppresses the bone marrow from producing many blood cells from the normal.  The human body tends to respond to this process by producing stem cells.  During the extraction, a thin tube will be inserted in a large vein found in the donor's arm.  The blood will start to travel to the thin tube that leads to a machine.  The machine will then separate the stem cells from the blood.  The whole collecting process can take up to 4 hours.  After the procedure, a few side effects may include lightheadedness, numbness of muscles on our fingers and toes, and chills.

 

How are Stem Cells Harvested from Umbilical Cord?

 

After giving birth to a baby, blood is collected from the umbilical cord.  However, the amount of stem cells found in the umbilical cord is relatively small, and they can only be used for children.  A machine will also separate the stem cells from the blood.  The collected stem cells will then be frozen until such time that they will be needed.