Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collections

Stem cells are immature cells that grow and divide into mature red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

The type of blood cell that a stem cell will develop into is determined by the specific needs of the patient’s body.

Stem cells can be collected from the peripheral blood and /or from the bone marrow via a bone marrow harvest.

Peripheral stem cell collections are performed at the DeGowin Blood Center. A peripheral blood stem cell collection is a procedure involving the separation and collection of a particular type of white blood cell from the blood.

A peripheral blood stem cell collection is performed using a machine called a blood cell separator. This machine uses a centrifuge to separate and collect mononuclear cells, including peripheral blood stem cells, from the blood.

A stem cell collection may be necessary after a patient has received chemotherapy treatment. The chemotherapy suppresses the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells. Stem cells are needed to restore bone marrow function. The stem cells will be collected and frozen for storage. 

When the patient is ready for the stem cells they will be thawed and transfused. The stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and begin creating new blood cells.