A bone marrow transplant is a procedure involving the replacement of damaged bone marrow with healthy donor cells. Bone marrow may get damaged by infection, after chemotherapy or some other ailment. During the procedure, the healthy cells are transplanted in the bloodstream. These transferred cells travel to the bone marrow and make new cells to enhance the growth of new bone marrow.

Why is a Bone Marrow Transplant Needed?

A bone marrow transplant may be needed in the following cases:

• To replace damaged and non-functioning bone marrow with a healthy one. The bone marrow may get damaged from conditions such as leukemia, aplastic anaemia, sickle cell anaemia.
• To create regeneration of a new immune system to help fight against residual leukemia or cancer that could not be killed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Replacement of the bone marrow with the one that is genetically healthy bone marrow for the prevention of damage from a genetic illness.

Cost of Bone Marrow Transplant in India

The bone marrow transplant cost in India is affordable with world-class technology and the best experts to give a high success rate. An approximate cost for a bone marrow transplant in India ranges between 15,000 to 30,000 USD. However, the exact price depends upon :

• the type of bone marrow transplant
• the city of treatment
• the hospital
• the expertise of the doctor
• The overall health of the patient
• The complexity of the case

Time is taken to recover from a bone marrow transplant

• During the first weeks and months after leaving the hospital, the patient will have to make frequent trips to an outpatient clinic. This will allow doctors to track the patient’s progress. These visits will become less often over time.
• Staff at the clinic will teach the patient and their caregiver how to care for your central line (which will stay in place for at least 6 months after your transplant), how to watch for and prevent infections, and other ways to care
• Recovery from a stem cell transplant can be slow. It takes 6 to 12 months to recover normal blood cell levels and immune function. During this time, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of infection, get plenty of rest, and follow the doctor’s instructions about medicines and checkups.

The duration of stay in the hospital depends on:

• How much chemotherapy or radiation the patient has received
• The type of transplant performed
• Before the discharge, the doctor will make sure
• Bone marrow is making enough healthy blood cells
• The patient has no severe complications
• Patient feel well, and any mouth sores and/or diarrhoea have improved or gone away
• Appetite has improved
• There is no fever or vomiting

During the hospital, stay patient might

• Feel weak, and may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and/or a loss of appetite
• Receive medicines to prevent or treat infections, including antibiotics, antifungals, and antiviral medication
• Need many blood transfusions, because of a low number of red blood cells
• Have regular platelet transfusions, cause of a small number of platelets
• Be fed through a vein until you can eat by mouth and stomach side effects and mouth sores have gone away