Stem cells (SCs) are used in all fields of medicine. They are associated with the forthcoming breakthroughs in the treatment of chronic diseases. Doctors have not yet learned how to fully restore human organs damaged by diseases, but SCs are already used in clinical practice. In developed countries, they are used to stimulate regenerative processes in the body. You can undergo cell therapy in Germany to receive a good sustainable therapeutic result.
The fields of cell therapy application
Due to the flexible healthcare, the best German hospitals have the opportunity to use innovative therapies before they become standard. Some hospitals are already using cell therapy, even for diseases for which it is not yet part of the protocols, as research to assess its effectiveness is still ongoing.
For medical tourists, a trip to Germany is a chance to receive the treatment of the future. Cell therapy is already being used for a wide range of diseases:
● Osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, and other joint pathologies
● Retinal diseases and optic atrophy
● Cardiomyopathies, heart failure, and complications of myocardial infarction
● Pulmonary fibrosis
● Pancreatic excretory insufficiency
● Kidney damage
● Liver cirrhosis
● Stroke
In all of these diseases, irreversible destruction of organs occurs. Functional tissue is replaced by scars, which maintain the structure, and retain volume, but are unable to fulfill the function of the organ. Innovative therapies in Germany allow to stimulate tissue regeneration and obtain good results.
How stem cells work
The use of SCs belongs to the advanced treatment options that allow partial recovery of damaged organs and tissues while improving their function. SCs work through several mechanisms:
● Mature into specialized cells, replacing defects in organs and tissues
● Are sources of growth factors that stimulate regeneration
● Reduce inflammation
● Normalize immune reactions, so they have a marked therapeutic effect in autoimmune pathologies
How SCs are used in medicine
Treatment options in Germany depend on the diagnosis, as SC therapies are not standardized. The method of obtaining, processing, and administering SCs varies considerably from patient to patient. Differences in treatment techniques are also possible in different clinics.
In any case, the treatment is carried out according to a scheme that includes
● Cell collection (usually autologous cells are used, less often donor cells)
● Their possible processing (optional stages are cultivation, and freezing)
● SCs administration (intravenous, intra-arterial, local)
Blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissue are used as sources of SCs. In most cases, doctors use fresh cells. They are harvested and immediately injected without cultivation, which increases the number of cells but can damage their genetic material.
Possible routes of SCs administration:
● Systemic – intravenously
● Regional – into an artery that supplies an organ
● Locally – into the cerebrospinal fluid, eye, joint, etc.
The local method of SCs administration is the most effective as it allows to ensure the maximum concentration of cells in the diseased area. At the same time, it is not always applicable. If the procedure seems very traumatic, doctors use other ways of SCs administration.
The regional method of delivering SCs requires an endovascular procedure and catheterization of the artery supplying the organ. This is a complex technique, so it is rarely used. Systemic administration of SCs is the simplest, most effective, and most widely used method. This method is based on the ability of SCs to find and accumulate in damaged areas. Intravenous administration of SCs gives excellent results in diseases of internal organs. This method of their introduction is successfully used even in such complex areas of medicine as oncology and hematology (for stem cell transplantation procedures).
Where to receive treatment
If you are looking for advanced medical treatments in Germany, visit the Booking Health website. Here you can find out the cost of medical services, including prices for cell therapy, choose a clinic, and make convenient appointments. The site has many reviews of Booking Health, German doctors and hospitals, and patient success stories. To travel to Germany for treatment, leave a request on the website. We will contact you within 24 hours to help you choose a clinic and organize your trip.
