A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to infuse healthy stem cells into your body to treat damaged or broken diseases stem cells. It is also called a stem cell transplant. Bone marrow transplant usually involves stem cells from your own body called autologous transplant or from a donor called an allogeneic transplant. These two are the most common type of bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplant cost in India is much less compared to other western countries.
What is bone marrow?
Bone marrow is a spongy, fat tissue found in the center of your bones such as thigh bone and hip bone. Bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells which are commonly known as HSCs. These HSCs are unspecialized cells that have the ability to divide and differentiate to form different types of blood cells. The main function of the bone marrow is to produce platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells which are vital for the proper functioning of the immune system.
Bone marrow function can be impaired due to diseases such as leukemia, anemia, aplastic, and lymphoma.
Bone marrow contains stem cells that facilitate the creation of the following:
- Red blood cells: They are vital in the body to carry oxygen throughout the body
- Platelets: Platelets helps to stop excessive bleeding in the body by forming blood clots
- White blood cells: They are responsible to fight against any infection in the human body.
An individual may require a bone marrow transplant if a medical condition that damages blood or circulatory system prevents the body from making healthy blood cells.
Some other factors that lead to bone marrow transplant are:
- Bone marrow diseases such as aplastic anemia
- Some type of blood cancers including leukemia or lymphoma
- Genetic or immune diseases such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia
- Bone marrow damage caused by radiation or chemotherapy for cancer
E. Donnall Thomas was the first person to perform allogeneic transplantation in 1957. Since then, a lot of new advancement in technology and medicine has evolved and accepted as a worldwide treatment for a number of conditions.
Apollo Hospital is the best cancer hospital in India for bone marrow transplants. The hospital is committed to providing the best treatment and comfort for patients. They have expert specialists for bone marrow transplants.
Types of bone marrow transplant:
A bone marrow transplant can be categorized into three types:
- Autologous bone marrow transplant:
The word “auto” means self. In this treatment, stem cells are taken from your own body through a process called apheresis before giving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Before the apheresis, the number of stem cells needs to be increased. Then the stem cells are preserved in the freezer. After a high dose of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the stem cells are placed back in the body to help the proper functioning of blood cell formation. This is also known as a rescue transplant.
- Allogeneic bone marrow transplant:
The word “allo” means other. Here, the stem cells are removed from the donor or another person. It is essential sometimes, that the donor’s genes partly should match the recipient genes. Special tests are performed to screen to see if the donor is a good match for you. The donor’s marrow tissue is screened for compatibility and transplant is carried out only when the tissues are matched. A sibling is likely to be the best match. Most often, relatives, children, and patients are also a good match. Then there is national bone marrow registration, where you may be able to find donors who aren’t related to you but can be a good match.
- Umbilical Cord blood transplant:
This is a type of allogeneic transplant. In this procedure, just after the birth of a baby, the umbilical cord is detached from the newborn. The stem cells are frozen unless they are required for a transplant. The umbilical cord has not matured since then and there is less need for finding a good match. Because of the smaller range of blood cells, the blood count takes a longer time to recover.
Other types of bone marrow transplant include:
- Syngeneic bone marrow transplant:
This is a procedure where an individual receives bone marrow donated by their identical twin.
Bone marrow transplant cost in India:
The average bone marrow transplant cost in India ranges from 15,00,000 to 40,00,000 INR. The actual cost will depend on the type of bone marrow treatment recommended for you. The most common type of bone marrow transplant treatment includes autologous and allogeneic that are prescribed to treat blood disorders or cancers.
The cost of a bone marrow transplant depends on many factors such as the type of transplant and the location where you will get the transplant. Tests are performed to give an actual idea of the cost of a bone marrow transplant. The cost of a bone marrow transplant in India is less compared to other western countries. The cost can vary from hospital to hospital hence it’s necessary that you do your research online and take a quote from multiple hospitals. But never compromise on the quality of medical care when looking for affordability.
Here is an approximate cost for a bone marrow transplant in India:
| Types of BMT | BMT cost in India |
| Autologous bone marrow transplant | Starts from 15,00,000 INR |
| Allogeneic bone marrow transplant | Starts from 25,00,000 INR |
| Haplo- allogeneic bone marrow transplant | Starts from 35,00,000 INR |
| Thalassemia – bone marrow transplant | 15,00,000- 35,00,000 INR |
The best cancer hospital in India is Apollo hospital where you get good quality services and medical care.