Diseases That Can Be Treated With Stem Cells

Diseases That Can Be Treated With Stem Cells Related Information:

Stems cells are a very valuable resource, and the cord blood from a newborn baby’s umbilical cord and the mother’s placenta is very rich in these cells. Unfortunately, the placenta and umbilical cord are very often discarded, wasting all of the rich stem cells contained within them. However, improved education and increased awareness has seen more and more parent-to-be opting to preserve the cord blood following the birth of their baby.

The unique thing about this stem-cell rich blood is that is could actually save lives – perhaps yours, maybe another family member’s, or even a total stranger’s. Although stem cell research is a continual process, many diseases can already be treated through this process, and with ongoing research it is likely that in the future many more will be treated through stem cell transplantation. In fact, stem cell transplantation could become a common way of treating a vast variety of diseases in the future, which is why it is vital that all parents-to-be consider the important of preserving the cord blood after the birth of their baby.

The increase in the number of new parents preserving and storing stem cells, as well as those donating this precious resource, means that more and more diseases can be researched and treated through the use of stem cells. In the future we could perhaps even see some of today ‘untreatable’ diseases being treated through stem cell transplantation. Stem cells have already been used to treat a number of diseases, and these include:

Cancers:
There are a variety of cancers that have been treated through stem cell transplantation from cord blood. Although the cancer types being treated at present are limited, continued donations of cord blood will enable ongoing research, which could ultimately result in a higher number of cancer variations that can be treated through stem cell transplantation. The current types of cancer that have been treated using this therapy include: acute leukemia, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and liposarcoma.

Bone marrow problems:
In the past, abnormalities with the bone marrow have resulted in serious illness and debilitation and even death. However, the advancements with stem cell research have enables these rich cells to be used in the treatment of a number of bone marrow related disorders, such as: anemia and Postman’s Syndrome.

Blood disorders:
There are also a number of blood related abnormalities that have been treated through stem cells. Many of these blood-related diseases can affect your quality of life dramatically and could even lead to death. However, thanks to stem cell research, treatment can now be administered in many cases for blood related disorders such as sickle-cell anemia.

Disorders with metabolism:
A variety of metabolism related abnormalities have already been treated via stem cell transplantation, and these include: Batten Disease, Krabbe’s disease, Hunter Syndrome, Hurler Syndrome, and Gunther Disease.

Immunodeficiency disorders:
A number of immunodeficiency disorders can also be treated by stem cell therapy. Many of these disorders could prove serious or even deadly without the help of stem cell therapy. These include: Omenn’s Syndrome, thymic and reticular dysplasia, and leukocyte adhesion deficiency.

This is just a handful of the different types of diseases that can now be treated through the use of stem cell therapy, and this provides an indication of the importance of preserving stem cells through cord blood. Discarding the umbilical cord and placenta following birth is simply a waste of a very valuable resource that could save a life in the future.

Collecting and storing or donating cord blood is very straightforward, and when you consider how the stem cells can help preserve life it is obvious just how important the preservation of this special blood and stem cells can be.