Contents:
- Medical Video: Bone Marrow Transplantation: Children vs. Adults
- HLA Tissue Typing
- Medical tests and tests
- Blood test
- Chest X-Ray and lung function tests
- Computed Tomography Scan, skeletal X ray, or bone scan
- Dental test
- Heart test
- Spinal cord biopsy
Medical Video: Bone Marrow Transplantation: Children vs. Adults
For the initial stage, your doctor will look for donors that have stem cells as closely as possible with your stem cells. This step will reduce the risk of the immune system attacking donor cells. Similar stem cells also reduce the risk of marrow cells or donor blood attacking your body.
HLA Tissue Typing
HLA tissue typing is a test to determine the compatibility of the patient's stem cells and donors. HLA is a protein found on the surface of white blood cells. Your immune system uses HLA to differentiate your cells from foreign cells.
Because HLA markers are inherited, identical twins are the best donors. Siblings can also be ideal donors. But in some cases, people don't find matching stem cells in their family members.
If there are no suitable donors in your family, a search will be conducted on people outside the family. Your doctor will consider:
- HLA donors that are suitable but not family members
- Family members with HLA that are not very suitable
- General donors with HLA that aren't very suitable
- Umbilical cord blood with suitable HLA
Patients who have prepared their own stem cells beforehand do not need to undergo an HLA match test.
Medical tests and tests
Before running a stem cell transplant, you also need to undergo tests and medical tests. The doctor will make sure your condition is healthy enough to undergo a transplant.
In addition, the doctor will conduct an examination to find any medical problems that can cause complications after transplantation.
Blood test
Before stem cell transplantation, you may have to undergo a blood test to check for HIV, herpes, pregnancy, and other conditions. This test helps the doctor understand your overall health.
Chest X-Ray and lung function tests
Chest radiographs give a picture of the structure of the chest, such as the heart and lungs. This test can show enlargement of the liver or excessive blood flow or fluid in the lungs.
Lung function tests can detect lung disease or infection. This test also shows the blood's performance in carrying oxygen throughout your body.
Computed Tomography Scan, skeletal X ray, or bone scan
This test provides a detailed picture of your body. Tests are used to diagnose tumors in the bones that might inhibit the transplant process.
Dental test
Your doctor may recommend a complete dental examination to check for dental problems that might cause infection after transplantation.
Heart test
Heart tests, including EKG (electrocardiogram) and echocardiography (echo), used to monitor heart conditions that may be worse after transplantation.
The ECG detects and records your heart's electrical activity, while echo uses sound waves to make your heart move images. The image shows how well the performance, size and shape of your heart.
Spinal cord biopsy
A bone marrow biopsy can show the performance of your bone marrow in the production of healthy blood cells. If you are undergoing blood cancer treatment, this test can detect cancer that is not active.
