Bone marrow transplant(BMT) or Hematopoietic stem cell transplants are one of the important treatments for various blood disorders like leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood diseases. In the realm of adults with life-threatening diagnoses, a bone marrow transplant can mean the difference between an opportunity for recovery and/or better quality of life.
Adult Bone Marrow Transplant in India is carried out with the help of identified specialist and experienced doctors at an affordable price. Thus, this blog will focus on adult bone marrow transplant procedure in India, its cost as well as the best hospitals performing this transplant.
What Are Adult Bone Marrow Transplants?
Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells. A bone marrow transplant replaces unhealthy or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells. These stem cells might be from your own body (an autologous transplant) or a donor (allogeneic transplant).
In Adult: A bone marrow transplant is commonly used for treatment of a serious blood disorder including:
- Leukemia (blood cancer)
- Lymphoma
- Aplastic anemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Multiple myeloma
For adults, the two primary types of bone marrow transplants are:
Autologous Transplant: The stem cells from the patient are harvested, stored, and reinfused back into the body following intensive chemotherapy.
When a matching donor (either family member or non-related donor) donates stem cells and infuses them into the patient, it is called Allogeneic Transplant.
Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Process
There are several phases within the overall bone marrow transplant process:
Pre-Transplant Evaluation
The patient first undergoes extensive testing, as within it, the physician ascertains whether she is physically fit to undergo a bone marrow transplant. This includes:
- Blood tests
- Scans (cat, MRI)
- Extra cardiovascular and pulmonary examinations
- Psychological assessments
- Harvesting Stem Cells
Autologous transplant: The patient’s stem cells are harvested from the bone marrow or blood before chemotherapy.
Allogeneic transplant: Stem cells are taken from a matched donor. These can be harvested through bone marrow aspiration or peripheral blood stem cell harvesting.
Conditioning Therapy
Prior to transplantation the patient is treated with chemotherapy (and in some cases radiation therapy) to destroy the diseased bone marrow and to make room for the new healthy stem cells.
Transplantation
After conditioning, the healthy stem cells are given to the patient via an intravenous (IV) line (like a blood transfusion).
Post-Transplant Care
They are monitored closely for several months after the transplant to make sure the transplanted stem cells are growing and functioning as they should. The patient is also followed for complications, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic transplants or infections secondary to immunosuppression.
Bone Marrow Transplant in India- Benefits
Here is her translation and here are seven reasons why it has made India a favourite for adult Bone Marrow transplant.
Affordable Treatment
Bone Marrow Transplantation in India is much cheaper than Western world. An adult bone marrow transplant costs $200,000 to $300,000 in the U.S. or Europe. But, the treatment can do in India at many lower prices, attracting innumerable international patients.
Cutting-Edge Healthcare Infrastructure
India has numerous world-renowned hospitals with top-notch hematology and oncology technology and facilities. Indian medical centers have state-of-the-art facilities for stem cell research, diagnostic services, and post-transplant care.
Experienced Doctors
India has some of the best oncologists and hematologists in the world specializing in adult bone marrow transplants. They are experts in this field and trained and have got certified in stem cell therapy from top institutes across the globe.
Shorter Waiting Times
Patients in India have shorter waiting times because treatment is as good in India as it is in the Western world, but at the present time demand is lower and availability is higher in India, in many parts of the world such as in the West waiting lists for the bone marrow transplantations are long.
Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Cost in India
The price of an adult bone marrow transplant in India depends on several factors such as type of transplant, hospital selected, and patient’s state. On average, an autologous bone marrow transplant will cost between ₹10,00,000 to ₹20,00,000 ($12,000 to $24,000), while an allogeneic transplant will cost between ₹20,00,000 to ₹40,00,000 ($24,000 to $48,000).
- Price normally covers:
- Cost of hospitalisation and treating the sickness
- Chemotherapy, or conditioning therapy
- Collection and infusion of stem cells
Post-transplant care and follow-up
It can vary according to the location of the hospital, the procedure’s complexity, and the length of hospitalization.
This list will help you choose the best hospital for Adult Bone Marrow Transplant you may want to visit.
Numerous top-grade hospitals in India provide excellent treatment and care for adult bone marrow transplant. Among the best centers are:
Apollo Hospital (Chennai/Delhi/Mumbai/Bangalore)
Apollo Hospitals is India’s leading supply house of advanced hematology and oncology care. They have a strong reputation for their high-quality, effective bone marrow transplant programs.
Max Super Speciality Hospital (Delhi, Gurgaon, Mohali)
Max Hospitals bestows a separate department for stem cell and bone marrow transplants. It has a surrounding that is state of the art, and doctors who are knowledgeable and experienced in BMT treatment for adult patients.
Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai)
Fortis medical services are also known for bone marrow transplant and other advanced medical treatments. Adult BMTs are handled by a specialized team of oncologists and transplant specialists, ensuring high success rates.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. (AIIMS)
AIIMS, being the most prominent government hospital in the country, offers highlyproper bone marrow transplant services and charges considerably less. It is a specialized hospital dedicated to stem cell therapy and hematology.
Preparing for an Adult Bone Marrow Transplant in India
If you are undergoing an adult bone marrow transplant in India, follow these tips to make sure you’re fully prepared.
Talk to an expert : Meet in detail with a qualified hematologist or oncologist to better understand the treatment plan as well as the risks and benefits.
Financial planning: Be aware of what you will have to spend, from hospitalization to medications, and post-treatment care. Inquire if the cost of the bone marrow transplant will be covered by your insurance.
These tests and evaluations should be completed prior to the transplant, to ensure you are able to withstand the procedure.
Things to think about after your transplant: Be ready for an extended healing process that includes hospital visits, follow-up care and medications to prevent complications.
Conclusion
Adult bone marrow transplant is a potential life-saving intervention in patients with different types of blood disorders. Due to advanced medical technology, skilled practitioners and cost-effective treatment methods, India has emerged as a location of choice for seeking bone marrow transplant. Regardless of whether you are an overseas patient or one who wants treatment in India, rest-mind you will be offering state of the-art therapy and lofty success rates.
Research! Don’t take any of these for granted, do your research, consult with experts, and whatever it is — hospitals or doctors — make sure what you have in mind. Bone marrow transplant in India is a life-altering option for adult patients, provided the right approach and care are followed.