Stem cell transplantations are often required to treat conditions that have damaged the bone marrow which, as a result, can no longer produce normal blood cells. Any disruption to the production of blood cells can be very serious, particularly if:
- You do not have enough red blood cells. Your body will be starved of oxygen, you will feel faint and tired and damage to your organs may occur.
- You do not have enough white blood cells. You have a much higher risk of developing a serious infection.
- You do not have enough platelets, which means you will bruise and bleed more easily.
Some of the conditions that can affect blood and bone marrow are described below.
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. The cancer causes the white blood cells to replicate in an uncontrollable manner and they do not develop any infection-fighting properties.
The cancerous cells can quickly spread through the bloodstream, resulting in a lack of room for red blood cells and platelets.
This leads to symptoms of anaemia, increases the risk of serious infection, and means that you will bruise and bleed more easily.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is another type of cancer of the white blood cells. However, rather than spreading through the bloodstream, it spreads through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a series of connected glands (nodes) that are spread throughout your body. It is an important part of your immune system, the body's natural defence against infection.
Inherited (genetic) blood disorders
There are a number of genetic blood disorders where alterations (mutations) in your genes mean that blood cells do not develop normally. These include sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia, both of which interfere with the production of red blood cells.
