A basic cell in the body from which more specialized cells are formed. Stem cells within the bone marrow produce blood cells through a series of maturation steps. Stem cells are found in blood and can be transplanted as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation. Stem cells can be obtained from a donor sibling, a matched but unrelated donor, or from stored umbilical blood. Patients can also act as their own donors, with cells harvested and stored to be reinfused later after treatment has damaged the bone marrow. Stem-cell transplantation is used mainly for people being treated for leukaemia and other cancers but may, in the future, be used for noncancerous disorders.
Stem cell |
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