What is the Difference Between Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant

The main difference between stem cell and bone marrow transplant is that stem cells are collected from the bloodstream for stem cell transplantation whereas stem cells are collected from bone marrow for bone marrow transplantation. Furthermore, stem cell transplant is the most common form of transplant due to the easiness to collect stem cells from the bloodstream.

Stem cell and bone marrow transplant are two types of stem cell transplantation methods classified based on the location of stem cell collection. These methods help to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) conditions.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Stem Cell Transplant
     – Definition, Importance, Features
2. What is Bone Marrow Transplant
     – Definition, Importance, Features
3. What are the Similarities Between Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bone Marrow Transplant, Hematopoiesis, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), Peripheral Blood, Stem Cell Transplant

What is Stem Cell Transplant

Stem cell transplant or peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBST) is a common method of stem cell transplant in which stem cells are collected from the peripheral blood. It is a part of the treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which is a group of blood cancers including all types of lymphoma except Hodgkin’s lymphomas. However, stem cell transplant is an effective treatment after very high doses of chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy to the whole body (total body irradiation or TBI). These treatments kill lymphoma cells in the body. Nevertheless, they destroy the stem cells in the bone marrow. Therefore, stem cell transplant may replenish stem cell in the bone marrow.

Figure 1: Hematopoietic Stem Cell

During the stem cell transplant, stem cells collected either from the patient or from a compatible donor are transfused into the bloodstream through a drip, allowing the stem cells to find their way to the bone marrow. Then, the patient can recover slowly with the production of new blood cells by the transplanted cells.

Figure 2: Hematopoiesis

Due to several reasons, stem cell transplant is an easy method of transplantation of stem cells. These include:

• The easiness to collect stem cells from the peripheral blood;
• Ability to collect a higher amount of stem cells from the blood;
• Quick recovery of blood cell levels.

What is Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow transplant is another method of transplantation of stem cells used during the treatments of NHL. Generally, the main objective of transplantation of stem cells is to put the body into remission where there is no sign of lymphoma. Therefore, PBST is the type of transplantation done in the former steps of treatments. However, doctors may suggest bone marrow transplantation during the later period of treatments due to several reasons:

• In remissions where signs of lymphoma can come back;
• In a second remission;
• No response to other treatments.
  

  Figure 3: Collection of Bone Marrow

Actually, bone marrow is the semi-solid material found inside the spongy and cancellous parts of bones. Moreover, it is the main site of the hematopoiesis or the production of new blood cells. However, the removal of bone marrow is difficult and has to be done through a surgical procedure. Thus, it makes the bone marrow transplants less common when compared to the stem cell transplant.

Similarities Between Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant

• Stem cell and bone marrow transplant are two methods of transplantation methods of stem cells used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) conditions.
• The transplantation process of both types of transplants is the same.
• Also, both stem cells and bone marrow can be collected from the patient or from a donor.

Difference Between Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant

Definition

Stem cell transplant refers to a nonsurgical procedure to collect blood-forming cells for bone marrow transplants while bone marrow transplant refers to a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells.

Collection of Stem Cells

Collection of stem cells is the main difference between stem cell and bone marrow transplant. Stem cells are collected from the peripheral blood for the stem cell transplant while stem cells are collected from bone marrow for the bone marrow transplant.

Surgical or Nonsurgical

Moreover, stem cells are collected through nonsurgical procedures in stem cell transplant while stem cells are collected through surgical procedures in bone marrow transplant.

Easiness

While stem cell transplant is an easy procedure due to the easiness of stem cell collection, bone marrow transplant is not an easy procedure. Hence, this is another difference between stem cell and bone marrow transplant.

Usage

Another difference between stem cell and bone marrow transplant is that stem cell transplant is a common method due to the easiness of stem cell collection while bone marrow transplant is not common as stem cell transplant.

Consequence

Finally, stem cell transplant is done to put into remission while bone marrow transplant is done when stem cell transplant has no cure. Hence, this is an important difference between stem cell and bone marrow transplant.

Conclusion

Stem cell transplant or peripheral blood stem cell transplant is a common method of transplantation of stem cells during the treatments of NHL. It is an easy method since stem cells are collected from peripheral blood through a nonsurgical procedure. In comparison, the bone marrow transplant is the transplant of surgically collected bone marrow. Therefore, it is a difficult procedure to follow. However, the main difference between stem cell and bone marrow transplant is the origin of stem cells.

References:

1. “Blood-Forming Stem Cell Transplants.” National Cancer Institute, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hematopoietic stem cell” By Fnaq – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “Hematopoiesis (human) diagram” By A. Rad – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
3. “Bone marrow biopsy” By Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Chad McNeeley – Navy News Service, 021204-N-0696M-180 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia