Cancer treatments are always very complicated and complex procedures. There are different techniques, methods and line of procedures the oncologists follow after very thorough diagnosis. Some of them include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy etc.

Procedures like bone marrow transplant require very specialized infrastructure and training that are scarcity in the world. This is also a very expensive and sometimes unattainable for some people.

India has been a ray of hope for many patients when it comes to the cost of Cancer treatments as they are lower compared to other developed countries but the quality of the treatment is on par with them.To learn in detail about the cancer hospitals and cost comparison of bone marrow transplant in India, you can click here.

Clinicspots is a medical facilitator and a Q&A platform that strives to make medical knowledge more accessible to everyone. So if you have any doubts and queries related BMT or blood cancer you can click on “ask an expert” button and leave your questions.

Bone marrow transplant is one of such many important cancer treatments.  It is a treatment that is used against many in blood cancer and disorder.  In this article we will learn about the process of bone marrow transplant in India, why India is the best place to opt for to get this treatment and which diseases can be treated with this.

Why choose India for Bone Marrow Transplant?

As we all know, bone marrow transplant is very expensive in many countries. India is one such country where you can get the quality treatment at affordable cost.

You should prefer India for following reasons:

1. Highly skilled doctors:

The doctors available in India are highly experienced and skilled in their profession. They have attended many trail sessions and published many articles on bone marrow transplant.

2. Quality treatment:

The treatment given in India uses latest technology.

3. Affordable cost:

The bone marrow transplant cost in India is very reasonable as compared to other developed countries.

Bone Marrow Transplant cost in India

If you think that cost of bone marrow transplant can drain all your money, then you may be wrong.

Well, bone marrow transplant cost in India lies in between ₹15,00,000 ($21,000) to ₹40,00,000 ($57,000).

Now, we will see the bone marrow transplant cost in different countries.

Well, you may be wondering:

What makes the bone marrow transplant cost in India so affordable?

Indian currency :

The currency in India as compared to dollars, pounds, etc. is less thus, making it cost – effective.

Way of living :

The way of living in India is quite low as compared to other countries thus, cost of facilities is less.

Presence of large number of BMT units :

India has high number of BMT units present thus, increasing  competition and reduction in bone marrow transplant cost in India.

What is BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant)?

Bone Marrow transplant is the procedure in which unhealthy or damaged bone marrow are replaced with the healthy bone marrow. It is also called stem cell transplant.

Bone marrow is a spongy tissue present in some bones that consists of cells called stem cells. It is responsible for forming red blood cells, white blood cells and plateletsand also helps in storing

When Bone Marrow Transplant is done?

The bone marrow transplant is done when your bone marrow has stopped working or destroyed by radiation or chemotherapy.

Your doctor may recommend bone marrow transplant if you are suffering from any of the following:

Cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma or myelodysplasia.

Certain blood disorders like severe aplastic anaemia, sickle cell disease (SCD) multiple, etc.

Why a person suffering from cancer may require bone marrow transplant?

In some cancers, high dose of chemotherapy is required to kill cancer cells. But this high dose of chemotherapy can also kill the stem cells resulting in bone marrow to completely stop forming blood cells. This is where bone marrow transplant come in the picture.

A bone marrow transplant from another person can also help in treating certain types of cancer. Donated stem cells, at times, can kill cancer cells better than the cells of the person who has cancer. This is known as graft – versus – cancer effect.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

1. Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant

Auto means self. In case of autologous bone marrow transplant, the stem cells used are of the patient himself or herself.

2. Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

Allo means other. The stem cells used in allogeneic bone marrow transplant are of a donor whose tissue type matches with the patient’s. The donor is a family member, generally brother or sister.

3. Haplo – Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

The stem cells used in haplo – allogeneic bone marrow transplant is a half – matched or partially – matched.

Procedure of Bone Marrow Transplant

1. Before the treatment

You will go through a physical exam and will have to undergo many tests before your bone marrow transplant.

Before the transplant, you will have a tube inserted in the blood vessel of your neck or arm. This tube will help in the treatment by receiving the medicines and sometimes nutrients.

You will undergo high doses of chemotherapy or complete body radiation or both to destroy the bone marrow and cancer cells.

2. During the treatment

The day, when the bone marrow transplant will take place, is also called day zero. The stem cells are infused through the central line in your body. The process of infusion is painless.

After the stem cells are transferred into your bone marrow, they will start creating new blood cells. The blood cells will take few weeks to produce.

Apart from this, you will also be given medications just before the transplant in order to reduce the side effects that may be caused after the transplant.

3. After the treatment

Once the stem cells will enter your body, they will start making new, healthy blood cells. This process is also called engraftment.

To monitor your condition, you will have to do regular blood tests. You will require follow – ups and have to extend your stay depending on the complications you may face.

Side Effects of Bone marrow transplant

You may experience side effects due to bone marrow transplant.Some side – effects occur just after the transplant while other occur after some time.

Side – effects that may occur just after the transplant:

The side – effects that occur just after the transplant come from having bone marrow removed by medicines or radiation and from the treatment itself. Following are the side – effects that may occur later :

• Mouth and throat pain
• Infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bleeding and transfusion
• Lung problems
• GVHD
• Graft failure
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

Side – effects that may occur later :

The problems or side – effects that occur later are because of many reasons like type of the transplant performed, the patient’s health and age, the conditioning treatment used, whether GVHD is present or not, etc. Following are the side – effects that may occur later :

• Organ damage
• Infertility
• Abnormal growth of lymph tissue
• The cancer may come back
• There may be origin of cancer
• Hormonal changes
• Cataract