Stem Cell Therapy in Belgium

The procedure of stem cell therapy starts with removing stem cells from your body or from the donor’s body. The cells are collected from different body parts depending upon the need. After collection, the cells are processed according to the purpose for which they are extracted. The processed stem cells are injected into the specific area of your body using ultrasound or X-ray guidance. Anesthetics are used and the procedure is done under sterile conditions.  It is necessary to make sure that the cells are reaching the desired area so that the improvement is better and quicker. There are three types of stem cell transplant:

1. Autologous transplant - your own body stem cells are removed and used. This type of transplant is safer and recovery is quicker because chances of transplant rejection are less as your own stem cells are being used.  
2. Allogenic transplant - stem cells are obtained from a suitable donor. Matching is done to find a donor whose white cell antigen closely resembles yours. The donor can or cannot be your relative.
3. Syngeneic transplant - stem cells from your identical twin are used. In this case, the chances of rejection are low.

Each type of stem cell transplant involves different methods, procedures, and techniques with different side effects and risks. The one suitable for you depends upon your age, health, and physical conditions.

The length of stay in the hospital varies in accordance with the condition for which stem cell therapy is being done. It is usually a 3 to 4 hours procedure (in-patient) in which stem cells are introduced into the body using syringes or catheters. Different factors are considered to decide the length of your stay in the hospital. These factors are:

1. You are not suffering from a fever for the last 24 to 48 hours.
2. You have a safe blood cell count.
3. You are able to eat and drink.
4. Your symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are under control.
5. You have someone with you to look after you.

Your stay in the hospital is longer for an allogeneic transplant as compared to an autologous transplant and you're free to leave Belgium the very next day, although it's advised to stay at least a few days in case you have further questions for the medical staff. But of course, these can be asked over the phone/email or directed towards your local medical team back home.

Complete recovery time varies from 2 to 12 weeks when the patient begins to feel pain relief. However, you can return to your routine work a couple of days after going through the transplant. Recovery depends upon your physical condition before and after the transplant. Over a period of 6 to 12 months, further improvements are seen in the patients. During the process, antibiotics and other drugs are prescribed. These drugs prevent transplant rejection and graft-host diseases. Allogenic stem cell transplant takes longer to recover than an autologous transplant.

It is advised to keep in contact with your doctor and to visit them on a regular basis. Apart from this, the following points should be considered:  

1. Minor pain will be present after going through the therapy - icepacks are effective in this regard. Pain might either be because of inflammation or muscle spasm. Inflammation is common due to your immune system activity. Anti-inflammatory medicines are avoided in the initial period because they can interfere with the healing process.  
2. Walking is good for your health. Rest is not always the best option for quick recovery. Blood flow and oxygen is needed by the treated area which is provided by light activity and movement.
3. Ask your doctor about your nutritional requirements and eat healthy according to it.
4. Do some joint stabilizing exercises to aid the healing process.     

Stem cell therapy's effectiveness, also known as Stem Cell Therapy, can change based on the illness, the age and health of the patient, and the type of therapy used. Although new, stem cell therapy has shown promise in areas like bone, brain, and heart health, it is not always successful due to various reasons, one being the transplant rejection. It is an excellent idea to talk about the possible good and bad outcomes with your doctor before making a choice.

Exosomes are being used as an alternative to stem cell therapy. They are lipid bilayer surrounded vesicles secreted by live cells. They contain mRNA, proteins, chaperons, and various signaling molecules. They work as a natural carrier system for the transport of these substances. They function as a messenger within the body carrying information from one cell to the other. Stem cell therapy can be enhanced using exosomes. They help the body’s natural healing ability to increase the pace of recovery. Sometimes, stem cell therapy and exosomes are given together for better results.