- A majority of stem cells are in the bone marrow and some circulate to the blood system. The stem cells produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. When Charlie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), his stems cells no longer made normal blood cells. Autologous stem cell transplant can be used after high doses of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills the cancer cells and also destroys the bone marrow. The stem cell transplant makes it possible for Charlie get back normal stem cells. A potential complication of having an autologous stem cell transplant is that the cells taken may contain some cancer cells so these cells may need to be treated before returning back into the body. After the stored cells are returned, they should start to develop new, healthy blood cells again (Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, 2014).
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Cells of the lymph nodes are able to easily travel to variety of lymphoid tissues throughout the body (Grossman & Porth, 2014). According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation (2012), B lymphocyte help to protect the body’s immune system from germs by producing antibodies. They attach to the germ and alert other cells to kills the bacteria. T lymphocytes have a number of different jobs. Some destroy cells infected with bacteria, viruses or fungi. Others release a substance to attract other cells to fight the infection. T lymphocytes can also boost and/or slow the activity of immune system cells. Lymphoma occurs when these lymphocytes (B and T) become malignant and the function of the cells change. Since they are located in the lymph nodes and can easily travel to other lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, blood or other organs. They multiple, form collections and create tumors – becoming Non-Hodgkin’s