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14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Bone marrow is soft, spongy tissue found within the central cavities of bones. It is responsible for producing different types of blood cells, including red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells that fight infections, and platelets that help with blood clotting. Essentially, the bone marrow serves as a vital part of the body’s immune system and overall health.
Bone marrow, the spongy soft tissue found in the hollow interior of bones, plays a crucial role in many bodily processes. Despite its seemingly small part in our overall anatomy, it carries significant impact on our world inside. This article delves into the basics of understanding bone marrow, its types, relevance, and implications for human health.
Encompassing the importance of bone marrow in the human body, it cannot be overemphasized – bone marrow is responsible for producing most of our body’s blood cells, making it indispensable in maintaining steady and robust health.
Bone marrow is a semi-solid tissue that occupies the interior of our bones. It primarily functions to produce blood cells – red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets – making it a fundamental part of our circulatory and immune systems.
From the perspective of its components, bone marrow is made up of stem cells, platelets, plasma, and red and white blood cells, all of which exhibit unique characteristics and functions in our body. Notably, the responsibility of producing new blood cells gives bone marrow a significant role – it is our body’s very own cell factory, outputting a constant supply of new cells to replace those naturally lost over time.
Red bone marrow is essential for hematopoiesis, the process of producing new blood cells. The role and functions of red bone marrow are indispensable to human life – without it, the circulatory and immune functions would systematically shut down.
From an anatomical standpoint, red bone marrow is located in flat bones, such as our hip and breast bones, and the ends of long, tubular bones like those found in our arms and legs.
Primarily composed of adipose cells, yellow bone marrow’s primary role is to serve as a storage unit for fats, offering our bodies a source of reserve energy. As we age, some of our red bone marrow converts to yellow marrow.
When it comes to its location, yellow marrow is found in the central cavity of long bones.
Bone marrow disorders or diseases, such as leukemia, significantly affect the body’s ability to produce new blood cells effectively. Other disorders include aplastic anemia, myeloproliferative disorders, and myelodysplastic syndromes which interfere with the normal function of bone marrow.
Symptoms of bone marrow disorders vary but may include fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, or feelings of weakness. In severe cases, life-threatening symptoms can occur, emphasizing the necessity for effective treatment strategies.
These may range from pharmaceutical drugs to more rigorous medical procedures, like radiation therapy or bone marrow transplants, depending on the severity and nature of the disease.
A bone marrow transplant refers to a medical procedure used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. It serves as a formidable form of treatment for conditions that affect the production of bone marrow cells.
The procedure starts with a specialist extracting marrow from a healthy donor, or, in some cases, the individual themselves if the marrow is healthy. The patient is then treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill the existing marrow before the new stem cells are introduced into their bloodstream, from where they travel to the bone marrow to begin producing new blood cells.
While bone marrow transplants carry certain risks, including infections and complications due to immune reactions, they save countless lives each year by offering a chance to reset the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells.
Bone marrow’s role in creating blood cells underscores its importance to our health and well-being. Its impact on our vitality becomes evident when disorders affect its ability to function properly, identifying the need for advanced treatments to manage or cure these conditions.
As we navigate through the intricate world of bone marrow, it is clear that the health of our bone marrow contributes significantly to our overall health, making its care and understanding all the more essential.
1. What are the common diseases that can affect the bone marrow?
Common diseases include leukemia, aplastic anemia, and multiple myeloma, among others.
2. What is the role of bone marrow in our immune system?
Bone marrow produces white blood cells that form a vital part of our immune system.
3. How is a bone marrow transplant performed?
A bone marrow transplant involves replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor.
4. How can I keep my bone marrow healthy?
A healthy diet, exercise, and regular check-ups can contribute to keeping your bone marrow healthy.
5. What is the difference between red and yellow bone marrow?
Red marrow produces blood cells, while yellow marrow stores fats.
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