The bone marrow transplant includes replacement of the damaged bone marrow with a healthy one. The healthy bone marrow cells are transferred through the bloodstream to the bone marrow, and further, make the new bone marrow cells. The scope of the bone marrow transplant in this present era is very high. Several blood-related disorders like sickle-cell anemia, thalassemia, aplastic anemia, etc are successfully treated by the bone marrow transplant. Cancer patients who have been receiving high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy rely upon this procedure to restore the normal functioning. It is also used to repair genetic deformities.
Are Bone Marrow Transplants Successful?
The success rate of this procedure highly varies from patient to patient. There are several deciding factors that help to prognosticate the success rate in a particular case. These factors include medical history, any treatment taken prior to the transplant such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the age of the patient, overall health status, extent of matching with the donor, type of the transplant that is autologous, allogeneic, or umbilical cord blood. As per one of the researches, there is nearly 80-85% success rate is most of the cases except those of malignancies.
How long does it take to complete the procedure?
The answer to this question also depends on the type of bone marrow transplant whether it is allogenic or autologous. The allogeneic transplant is usually completed in an average of 25 days. However, it may take around 20-60 days to get discharged from the hospital. Similarly, for the autologous transplant, it takes on an average of 20 days, ranging from 15 to 70 days. Also, it depends upon the extent of acceptance by the patient’s body to the donor cells.
What are the risks and complications involved?
The most common complication associated with this procedure is the graft versus host disease. This can only happen in cases of allogeneic transplant. This happens when the donor cells misidentify the recipient body cells as some foreign substances and start attacking them. This is manifested in the form of various signs and symptoms such as breathlessness, cough, vision changes, scarring of the skin, dry mouth, sores in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc.
Other than this Graft versus Host disease, other complications may include, infections, organ failure, infertility, cataract, the spread of cancerous cells or even death. However, the good news is that due to a highly improved infrastructure in the hospitals that comprises of world-class technologies and robotic techniques and highly qualified doctors with great achievements & experience, the chances of these complications have been toned down.
How do you donate bone marrow?
Donating bone marrow is a day-care procedure. The patient has to stay in the hospital from morning till the late evening. The procedure starts with the administration of the anesthesia to the donor. This may be general or local anesthesia varying from case to case. Multiple small incisions, which are nearly one-fourth of an inch, are made on the sides of the pelvic area are made. A hollow needle is inserted through these incisions to withdraw the bone marrow cells. After this is done, the donor has to stay in the hospital until the effect of the anesthesia is gone and the doctor examines him or her. After going back home, the donor should inform regularly about the recovery status.
What umbilical cord cells transplantation?
This is one of the modern inventions after the bone marrow transplant. This acts as an alternative to the bone marrow transplant. Often there are cases such as leukemia, where the patient condition is serious and needs a donor on an urgent basis. But donors are not readily available most of the time. In such cases, the cells can be taken from the umbilical cord. The cells are taken from the blood that is left in the umbilical cord after the delivery. This procedure also has lesser chances of an immune reaction in the body.
Which are the best hospitals for bone marrow transplant in India?
India has become a medical hub for patients all over the globe. A huge number of people come to India every day to get themselves treated from the best doctors in the world. India is known for having some of the latest equipment that runs on cutting-edge technologies. Most of the surgeries are done with the minimally invasive technique that causes the least trauma to the body and promotes fast recovery. Hospitals such as Medanta Hospital, BLK Hospital, Artemis Hospital and many more are not only known for the best infrastructure but have also hired some of the best bone marrow transplant specialists in India, having immensely rich experience. They have received several prestigious awards and hold several records related to the surgeries. These doctors are also involved in training other doctors with the techniques that they have developed or invented over time.
To see the list of bone marrow transplant hospitals in India, click here.
To see the list of bone marrow transplant doctors in India, click here.
What is the average cost of bone marrow transplants?
The best thing about getting a treatment done in India is that despite having the cutting-edge infrastructure and highly experienced doctors, the cost involved is quite affordable as compared to other countries. The cost of a bone marrow transplant in India usually ranges from 15,000 USD to 25,000 USD. The cost will vary with the type of transplant (allogeneic or autologous) and the condition for which it is done. To know the details of bone marrow transplant costs in India, click here.
Send Enquiry