ok well if this forum is all about running to mexico or 3rd world coutries to receive treatment, I'll pass.
I am not finding any information that is benefical to me on this site.
My understanding is that hematopoietic cells can be derived from marrow, not sure who does that and where, but I will be happy to check into it.
.
They do that procedure here http://www.nmh.org/nmh/specialtiesandservices/servicescenters/sct/main.htm
no you do not have to be in a study to have it done. If you want insurance to cover it you do need to be in te study.
Also there are 5 other hospitals doing this, but I can't think of the names I know the locations. Texas, california and seattle.
there is a low fatality rate, depending on the illness you are battling, it might be worth it to take the risk vs the prognosis of the disease itself.
You did say as an alternative to chemo originally, correct?
If so, YES, for cancer you can get stem cell treatment, or marrow treatment as it is referred to, usually from a donor's marrow, not yours.
Cancer and orthopedics are the two ailments for which marrow-based treatments can be legally found in the USA today.
In Texas, it would be through MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, a GREAT place!!
But cord blood, not yet.
Is there anywhere inthe US that uses cord blood instead of bone marrow?
I rather forgo the chemo. I do not know the success rate vs cord blood and cels harvested from bone marrow.
Also anyone know where I can find where any of these procedures are done in the US?
Harv,It is not ALL ABOUT Mexico, or 3rd world countries, although I have been to one this year (Thailand) for one treatment.
I just got back from treatment in Germany, which is far from 3rd world, and had a marrow-based treatment there. Marrow and marrow-based cells have been in use for 30+ years, so they are the tried-and-true of the stem cell world. The facility there was ultra-modern, super clean, the OR had clean room-class cleanliness and filtration, the doctor that treated me was a skilled neurosurgeon, and the price was great!
Cord blood is newer, may or may not have more risks than marrow (depends on what you read, and who you talk to). Some doctors say that cord blood is more potent than marrow.
My understanding is that hematopoietic cells can be derived from marrow, not sure who does that and where, but I will be happy to check into it.
There are a majority of folks here who have had cord blood treatment for COPD. I am NOT one of them.
As Barbara said, there are no FDA approved treatments, cord blood or otherwise in the USA, so a doctor can't do them and keep his/her license to practice medicine. It is that simple. There are marrow-based studies involving control groups, but you only have a 50/50 chance of actually getting the real cells, and there are no studies right now with humans and cord blood. Any of this could change any time, but likely not in the next few years.
If there is nothing here on this group for you, I still wish you the very best despite any current prognosis you may have, but I think you should stick around. There are some caring folks here, and people who will help in any way that they can. They would not got to Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, etc. for treatment if treatment was available here.
The company that treated me in Thailand claimed that 80% of people they treated for coronary issues saw improvement, and their statistics also showed that more than 90% of these patients saw improvement in 6 months. Since I had been 9 months since treatment with no improvement, I sought out another treatment facility. I did not want a cord blood treatment for heart disease, so I went to Germany for treatment with my own marrow.Harv,
I am new so---Why did you have treatment in Thailand and then Germany? Not working as well in one place for you??
Thank you for your quick response. I am looking over all.The company that treated me in Thailand claimed that 80% of people they treated for coronary issues saw improvement, and their statistics also showed that more than 90% of these patients saw improvement in 6 months. Since I had been 9 months since treatment with no improvement, I sought out another treatment facility. I did not want a cord blood treatment for heart disease, so I went to Germany for treatment with my own marrow.
That is the very short of it, if you want/need more details please let me know.