Bone Marrow Transplant in India
What is Bone Marrow Transplant?
A unique form of treatment for individuals grappling with specific illnesses or cancers is referred to as a bone marrow transplant (BMT). Also recognized as hematopoietic stem cell transplant or stem cell transplant, this procedure involves extracting cells located within the bone marrow's stem cells.
After filtration, these cells are reintroduced either to another individual or back to the donor (patient). The objective of BMT (bone marrow transplant) is to replace a patient's unhealthy bone marrow, which has been treated to eliminate abnormal cells, with healthy bone marrow cells. The following are diseases that can be effectively treated with BMT :
Requirement of a Bone Marrow Transplant
A bone marrow transplant becomes necessary when the bone marrow stem cells are damaged by high doses of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Additionally, it may be required when a disease has ravaged and depleted the bone marrow. BMT is employed for :
Different Types of Bone Marrow Transplants
Several types of bone marrow transplants exist, primarily contingent on the donor, and these include:
Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant : This procedure necessitates a genetic match between the donor and the patient. Stem cells are subsequently extracted through apheresis or bone marrow harvest from a genetically matched donor, typically a sibling.
Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplants : Genetically matched stem cells or marrow from an unrelated donor are provided. National bone marrow registries serve as sources for these types of donors.
A Parent : When the genetic match is only partially identical to the recipient, and one of the parents serves as the donor, it is referred to as a haploid-identical match.
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant : Immediately following the delivery of an infant, stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord. These cells subsequently develop into functional and mature blood cells that are more potent compared to stem cells obtained from the bone marrow of other adults or children.
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant : In this type of transplant, the patient serves as their own donor. Stem cells are extracted from the patient through apheresis or bone marrow harvest, preserved by freezing, and then reintroduced to the patient. This process is referred to as "rescue."
When do people need stem cell transplants?
A bone marrow transplant becomes necessary for specific reasons. A standard bone marrow transplant can be administered to individuals :
Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure
The success of a bone marrow transplant hinges on various factors, including a patient's ability to withstand specific medications, the type of transplant, and the underlying disease necessitating the transplant. The procedure encompasses the following :
Cost of Bone Marrow Transplant in India
The cost of a bone marrow transplant in India is relatively economical compared to other popular medical tourism destinations. Accommodations, travel, and facilities at top-notch hospitals in India are affordable in comparison to Western countries.