The immune system is the body's defense system against infection, disease, and foreign substances. Once stimulated, the immune system automatically turns on to locate and fight invading cells.
An autoimmune disease develops when the body's immune system fails to recognize normal body tissues and attacks and destroys them as if they were foreign rather than attacking an outside organism. The cause is not fully understood, but in some cases it is thought that autoimmune diseases are triggered by exposure to microorganisms or other environmental causes, especially in people with a genetic predisposition to the disorder. A single organ or multiple organs and tissues may be affected.
There are nearly 150 autoimmune disorders. While there are no cures for these disorders, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) provides expert care for people to maintain a high quality of life.
If your condition requires a bone marrow transplant, you should know that the Fred Hutchinson Transplant program at SCCA was ranked first in outcomes in a four-year study by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) that measured one-year survival rates of patients among 122 transplant centers in the United States. The Hutchinson Center pioneered the use of bone-marrow transplants as a treatment for blood and autoimmune diseases over 40 years ago. Since then many patients with serious autoimmune diseases have come from around the world to receive bone marrow transplants at SCCA.
Learn about the risk factors and symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases, how they are diagnosed, and how their stages are determined.
Regardless of the stage of your illness, the unsurpassed expertise of our physicians makes SCCA the ideal treatment center for Autoimmune Diseases.
SCCA is a comprehensive treatment center that provides the latest therapies with compassionate support. Our renowned specialists from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine, and Seattle Children’s are working together to improve quality of life and conquer Autoimmune Diseases.
Our doctors are members of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and faculty from UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s. They are the best of the best who work as a team to care for people with Autoimmune Diseases.
Receiving a diagnosis for Autoimmune Diseases leads to many questions. SCCA physicians and staff provide compassionate care and support during your course of treatment so you will always know what to expect.
As a world-class treatment center, SCCA provides patients with the best and most current therapies available. Clinical studies bring promising new treatments to patients faster. And participating in a study gives patients at least the best, current treatment, as well as the satisfaction that they are helping others with Autoimmune Diseases.
Because treatment for Autoimmune Diseases isn’t easy, special support for patients is essential. SCCA has several programs, classes, and services to assist patients and their families.
The more you know about your disease, the more empowered you’ll feel. This list of reputable sources about Autoimmune Diseases makes gathering information easy.
Cancer treatment is always improving as researchers learn more about its causes and means to prevent it. Read the latest news about research findings and medical breakthroughs here.
This concise list of common medical terms are often associated with autoimmune diseases.
