Cancer Information: The Basics 
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| Terms that are on use on this site as well as general cancer-related words and definitions.
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| stem cell | The stem cell in the bone marrow is one that gives rise to the blood cells. The stem cells produce both red and white blood cells. If the stem cells are destroyed during chemotherapy then there will be no white blood cells to combat infection, which may be fatal. If some stem cells can be removed prior to chemotherapy, then huge doses of chemotherapy, that would otherwise be fatal, can be given and the stem cells replaced after the chemotherapy. It is called a stem cell because it has the ability to become any of the blood elements. The other cells in the bone marrow have lost this ability and can make only a specific type of blood cell element. Stem cell transplant for solid tumors, especialy for gynecologic tumors, has been all but abandoned. There is no apparent increase in cure rates and the treatment is extremely toxic. |
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