A 30 - year - old woman was undergoing therapy for b-thalassemia,a recessive trait caused by absence of or reduced synthesis ofthe hemoglobin b chain, a subunit of the oxygen-carrying moleculein red blood cells. In this condition, red blood cells are rapidlydestroyed, freeing a large amount of iron, which is deposited in tissuesand organs. The blood transfusions the patient had received every twoor three weeks since the age of 7 to stave off anemia were furtheraggravating iron buildup. Her major organs were showing damage, andshe was in danger of death from cardiac disease. Her physician suggestedthat she consider undergoing a hematopoietic (bone marrow)stem cell transplant (HSCT). Since these stem cells give rise to redblood cells, such a transplant could potentially restore her health. Whilethis might seem like an easy decision, it is not. Advanced cases havea high risk (almost 30 percent) for transplantation-related death. At thispoint, the woman is faced with a difficult and important decision. If you were faced with this decision, what further input might you seek?
A 30 - year - old woman was undergoing therapy for b-thalassemia,
a recessive trait caused by absence of or reduced synthesis of
the hemoglobin b chain, a subunit of the oxygen-carrying molecule
in red blood cells. In this condition, red blood cells are rapidly
destroyed, freeing a large amount of iron, which is deposited in tissues
and organs. The blood transfusions the patient had received every two
or three weeks since the age of 7 to stave off anemia were further
aggravating iron buildup. Her major organs were showing damage, and
she was in danger of death from cardiac disease. Her physician suggested
that she consider undergoing a hematopoietic (bone marrow)
stem cell transplant (HSCT). Since these stem cells give rise to red
blood cells, such a transplant could potentially restore her health. While
this might seem like an easy decision, it is not. Advanced cases have
a high risk (almost 30 percent) for transplantation-related death. At this
point, the woman is faced with a difficult and important decision. If you were faced with this decision, what further input might
you seek?
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