About breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation

What is breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation?

A bone marrow transplant may be used to treat patients with certain forms of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or breast cancer. The goal of such a transplant in women with breast cancer is to allow them to undergo high-dose chemotherapy -- which aggressively attacks the cancer cells, but also damages normal blood cells - and then replace the damaged cells with healthy ones.

What Is Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside bone. The bone marrow in the breastbone, skull, hips, ribs, and spine contains stem cells that produce the body's blood cells. The three kinds of blood cells that the body needs to function -- oxygen-carrying red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells, and clot-forming platelets -- are all made in the bone marrow.

Who Is A Candidate For A Bone Marrow Transplant?

The decision to prescribe a bone marrow transplant is always made on an individual basis. Your doctor will consider your age, general physical condition, diagnosis, and stage of disease. Your doctor will also make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of the transplant procedure.

Where Does The Transplanted Bone Marrow Come From?

Bone marrow given during a transplant either comes from you or from a donor whose bone marrow "matches" yours.

The matching process is called human leukocyte antigen testing (HLA testing). A series of blood tests evaluate the compatibility or closeness of tissue between the donor and recipient. These test results are used to help the tissue-typing lab match a bone marrow transplant donor to you.

What Happens Before The Transplant?

A number of tests are performed before the bone marrow transplant procedure to make sure you are physically able to undergo a transplant. These tests also help the transplant team identify and treat any potential problems before the transplant.

Your heart, lungs and kidney function will be tested. Your doctor may also order blood tests, a CAT scan, and a bone marrow biopsy. A complete dental examination is required before the procedure to minimize your risk of infection, and other precautions will be taken as necessary to minimize the risk of infection.

The tests required before the bone marrow transplant are usually done on an outpatient basis. Your transplant coordinator will help arrange these tests for you.

Central Venous Catheter Placement

Before the bone marrow transplant can be performed, a central venous catheter is inserted through a vein in your chest during a simple surgical procedure. A central venous catheter is a slender, hollow, flexible tube that allows fluids, nutrition solutions, antibiotics, chemotherapy, or blood products to be delivered directly into your bloodstream without repeatedly having to insert a needle into your vein. The catheter can also be used to collect blood samples.

Stimulating Your White Blood Cells

"Colony-stimulating factors," which are hormone-like drugs, are given before your bone marrow transplant to help your white blood cells recover from chemotherapy so that they can help fight the risk of infection. They also increase the number of stem cells in your blood.

Bone Marrow Harvesting

Bone marrow is withdrawn through a needle inserted into a bone in the hip. This procedure is performed in the operating room and the patient is given general anesthesia (pain-relieving medication that puts you to sleep). If your own bone marrow cannot be used for transplantation and if a donor is not found, stem cells may be harvested from your circulating blood.

Chemotherapy And/Or Radiation Therapy

Very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are given to destroy the abnormal stem cells and blood cells. The high-dose therapy essentially "wipes out" your normal bone marrow. As a result, your blood counts (number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) quickly fall to low levels.

During this phase of treatment, you will be given intravenous (IV) fluids to flush out your kidneys and minimize the damage from chemotherapy. You will also be given medications to control nausea, since chemotherapy often causes nausea and vomiting.

Because you will be in a fragile state of health and won't have enough white blood cells to protect you from infection, you will be isolated in your hospital room until after the new bone marrow begins to grow. Your healthcare providers will give you specific guidelines about the isolation procedure.

Central Venous Catheter Placement

Before the bone marrow transplant can be performed, a central venous catheter is inserted through a vein in your chest during a simple surgical procedure. A central venous catheter is a slender, hollow, flexible tube that allows fluids, nutrition solutions, antibiotics, chemotherapy, or blood products to be delivered directly into your bloodstream without repeatedly having to insert a needle into your vein. The catheter can also be used to collect blood samples.

Stimulating Your White Blood Cells

"Colony-stimulating factors," which are hormone-like drugs, are given before your bone marrow transplant to help your white blood cells recover from chemotherapy so that they can help fight the risk of infection. They also increase the number of stem cells in your blood.

Bone Marrow Harvesting

Bone marrow is withdrawn through a needle inserted into a bone in the hip. This procedure is performed in the operating room and the patient is given general anesthesia (pain-relieving medication that puts you to sleep). If your own bone marrow cannot be used for transplantation and if a donor is not found, stem cells may be harvested from your circulating blood.

Chemotherapy And/Or Radiation Therapy

Very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are given to destroy the abnormal stem cells and blood cells. The high-dose therapy essentially "wipes out" your normal bone marrow. As a result, your blood counts (number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) quickly fall to low levels.

During this phase of treatment, you will be given intravenous (IV) fluids to flush out your kidneys and minimize the damage from chemotherapy. You will also be given medications to control nausea, since chemotherapy often causes nausea and vomiting.

Because you will be in a fragile state of health and won't have enough white blood cells to protect you from infection, you will be isolated in your hospital room until after the new bone marrow begins to grow. Your healthcare providers will give you specific guidelines about the isolation procedure.

What are the symptoms for breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation?

Breast cancer is a condition in which the breast's cells proliferate out of control. Breast cancer comes in several forms. Which breast cells develop into cancer determines the type of breast cancer. Different areas of the breast might give rise to breast cancer.

1. Having a Breast lump is most frequently linked to breast cancer. However, depending on the particular form of breast cancer you have, your symptoms may change. Although many breast cancer patients do experience lumps, this is not always the case. It's crucial to be aware of the additional symptoms and indicators.

2. The body generally emits specific warning signals. The most frequent of these is a breast lump, which can be seen anywhere from your armpit to your chest wall. Nipple bleeding or discharge, as well as associated pain, may be present. Your nipple may appear flatter or caved in, and there may be Redness and/or Swelling in any portion of the breast, in just one breast, or in both breasts.

3. Breast changes or some of these symptoms do not always indicate breast cancer. An accurate diagnosis is based on more than simply physical symptoms.

4. When it comes to breast cancer treatment options, early detection is crucial. Ask your doctor to assess your symptoms and decide whether further testing is necessary if any new changes in your breasts worry you.

Symptoms
Breast lump,Nipple bleeding
Conditions
Swelling on collarbone,Nipple turns inwards
Drugs
Tamoxifen,Abraxane

What are the causes for breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation?

Causes of breast cancer:

1. The aberrant growth of some breast cells is what causes breast cancer, according to doctors. These cells continue to multiply and divide more quickly than healthy cells do, generating a bulk or lump. In order to reach your lymph nodes or other regions of your body, cells can spread (metastasize) through your breast.

2. Breast cancer typically develops from cells in the ducts that produce milk (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer can also start in other cells or tissues within the breast, including the glandular tissue known as lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma).

3. According to physicians, breast cancer is brought on by some breast cells that grow abnormally. These cells keep growing and dividing faster than healthy cells do, resulting in a mass or lump. Cells can move (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph nodes or other parts of your body.

4. Usually, breast cancer cells originate from milk production channels (invasive ductal carcinoma). Other cells or tissues in the breast, such as the glandular tissue known as lobules, can potentially give rise to breast cancer (invasive lobular carcinoma).

5. The majority of breast cancers, between 5 and 10 percent, are thought to be caused by gene abnormalities that have been passed down through a family. There are several inherited mutant genes that can raise the risk of developing breast cancer. The most well-known ones are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which both dramatically raise the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Symptoms
Breast lump,Nipple bleeding
Conditions
Swelling on collarbone,Nipple turns inwards
Drugs
Tamoxifen,Abraxane

What are the treatments for breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation?

Based on the type of breast cancer you have, its stage and grade, size, and whether the cancer cells are hormone-sensitive, your doctor will decide on the best course of treatment for you. Your overall health and personal preferences are also taken into account by your doctor.

1. Most breast cancer patients are treated surgically, and many go on to get other therapies including radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy. In some circumstances, chemotherapy might also be administered before surgery.

2. Making difficult decisions regarding your treatment might be overwhelming because there are so many alternatives for treating breast cancer. Think about getting a second opinion from a breast specialist at a clinic or center for breast health. Consult with other females who have made the same choice.

3. Depending on the methods you select, breast cancer surgery can have complications. Surgery for breast cancer has a risk of discomfort, bleeding, infection, and arm swelling (lymphedema). After surgery, you could decide to get breast reconstruction. With your surgeon, go over your alternatives and preferences.

4. Before having breast cancer surgery, think about getting a referral to a plastic surgeon. You might be able to reconstruct your breast using your own tissue or a breast implant (made of silicone or water). These procedures can be carried out concurrently with your mastectomy or afterward.

Symptoms
Breast lump,Nipple bleeding
Conditions
Swelling on collarbone,Nipple turns inwards
Drugs
Tamoxifen,Abraxane

What are the risk factors for breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation?

Anything that increases your risk of developing breast cancer is considered a breast cancer risk factor. However, having one or more breast cancer risk factors does not guarantee that you will acquire the disease. In addition to being a woman, many women who acquire breast cancer have no other known risk factors.

The following are some of the elements linked to an elevated risk of breast cancer:

1. Being a woman: Breast cancer strikes women far more frequently than it strikes men.
2. Age: As you get older, your chance of breast cancer rises.
3. A personal breast health history: You are more likely to develop breast cancer if a breast biopsy revealed lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast.
4. An individual's breast cancer history: You run a higher risk of getting breast cancer in the other breast if you've already had it in the first.
5. A history of breast cancer in the family: Your chance of breast cancer is enhanced if your mother, sister, or daughter had the disease, especially when they were young. Nevertheless, the majority of breast cancer patients do not have a family history of the condition.

Symptoms
Breast lump,Nipple bleeding
Conditions
Swelling on collarbone,Nipple turns inwards
Drugs
Tamoxifen,Abraxane

Is there a cure/medications for breast cancer: bone marrow transplantation?

A bone marrow transplant is a treatment for breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma. It is also named as stem cell transplant. In this condition, the patient is given a high dose chemotherapy that fights with the cancer cells but at the same time it can also affect and damage the normal blood cells in the body and then replaces it with the healthy ones.
Bone marrow can be found inside the bone. Blood cells which the body needs for functioning are made in the bone marrow. Blood cells are oxygen carrying red blood cells, infection fighting white blood cells, and clot forming platelets. For bone marrow transplant is taken from the ones whose bone marrow matches yours and this is known as HLA testing i.e. human leukocyte antigen testing.
Before starting a transplant, many tests like heart, lungs and kidney tests, blood tests, CAT scan, a bone marrow biopsy, dental examination to avoid infection are performed to ensure that you are physically prepared to undergo a transplant. 
A central venous catheter is inserted in your chest. This catheter helps to collect blood samples. Colony stimulating factors are given before a bone marrow transplant so that it can help from chemotherapy to avoid infection. Anesthesia is given to the patient and then with the help of inserting a needle into a bone in the hip, bone marrow is withdrawn. During chemotherapy or radiation therapy, medications are given to control nausea, vomiting. Your state of health will be fragile so you will be isolated until a new bone marrow starts to grow.

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