Posted by: csaadmin
in Real Life Stories on Jan 11, 2010
Study Provides Needed Reference for Consumer Education on Stem Cell Odds of Use
BROOKEVILLE, Md.-New data published in the March issue of Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation indicate the probability of an individual in the U.S. needing a stem cell transplant, using either one’s own stem cells or those from a donor, is much higher than previously stated. This new research says that as many as 1 in 200 people will receive a stem cell transplant during their lifetime, based on current therapeutic use of hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. These outcomes stand in stark contrast to previous estimates that suggest a much lower probability.
The study calculated the lifetime probability (age 0 – 70) that an individual in the U.S. will undergo a stem cell transplant, reporting that: 1 in 435 people will receive their own stem cells for treatment; 1 in 400 persons will receive someone else’s stem cells; and the combined total number of stem cell transplants will be 1 in 217 persons.