Bone Marrow Transplant in India

Bone marrow produces blood cells such as erythrocytes (RBC), leukocytes(WBC), and platelets. A diseased or damaged bone marrow cannot produce healthy blood cells, thus, the body is not able to function properly which leads to more severe complications.

What Is Bone Marrow Transplant?

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is another name for bone marrow transplantation. It is a complex and potentially life-saving procedure in which healthy stem cells are infused into the body to replace diseased or damaged bone marrow. 

The soft, spongy tissue called bone marrow is located in the middle of the bones and is responsible for making platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells.

In What Condition Bone Marrow Transplant Is Performed?

To have a bone marrow transplant in India, a bone marrow transplant specialist will determine your condition first to see if you are suitable for the procedure. Common problems that lead to requirements for bone marrow transplant in India are:

• Blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
• Anemia.
• Congenital neutropenia.
• Neuroblastoma.
• POEMS syndrome.
• Adrenoleukodystrophy.
• Plasma cell disorder.
• Thalassemia.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

There are two major types of bone marrow transplant procedures; autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplant.

• Autologous bone marrow transplant – In this procedure, the healthy stem cells are taken from the patient’s own body through a process called apheresis. The process is also named rescue transplant.
• Allogeneic bone marrow transplant – In this procedure, the bone marrow is obtained from a donor through stem cell harvest. The donor can be a family member or someone who is not related. The procedure can be carried out if the donor and the recipient have compatible marrow tissue.
• Umbilical cord blood transplant – It is an another allogeneic transplant technique. The stem cells from the umbilical cord of a newborn are removed and kept frozen. This can be used later tho there is less chance of compatibility.

Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure

There are certain steps to follow before undergoing a bone marrow transplant in India. These steps are necessary to be performed before going through an actual transplant procedure.

• Pre-transplant Procedure – First, you will have to undergo a bone marrow test to determine the type of bone marrow you require. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and thorough evaluation of your medical history to ensure you are suitable for the procedure. This phase will last for a few days
• Conditioning Process – In this process, a dose of chemotherapy or radiation or both will be administered to you to suppress the immune system or to kill the cancer cells. This step will make the bone marrow ready for the newly transplanted healthy stem cells.
• Bone marrow Transplantation – A tube called a central venous catheter is installed in the upper chest. Through this, a healthy stem cell is injected into the body. The tube enables the fluid containing healthy stem cells to go directly to the heart.

After that, these healthy stem cells proliferate throughout the body and eventually form into bone marrow. Then the bone marrow begins to grow and produce stem cells. Generally, there is no need to perform surgery.

Best Hospitals for Bone Marrow Transplant in India

1. Fortis Hospital Gurgaon
2. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital New Delhi
3. Max Hospital Saket, New Delhi
4. Medanta – The Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon
5. Artemis Hospital Gurgaon
6. Global Hospital Chennai
7. Fortis Malar Hospital ,Chennai
8. BLK Hospital New Delhi
9. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai
10. KIMS Hospital Hyderabad

Recovery And Aftercare

Generally, complete recovery from a bone marrow transplant usually takes up to three months. Engraftment marks the success of the procedure. When the transplanted cells start to produce healthy blood cells it is called engraftment. This can be usually noticed in the increase in white blood cells. It might require up to one month for an engraftment process to occur.

Health problems can extremely delay the recovery process so make sure you are in your peak health to have a fast recovery. Always maintain a healthy body weight and manage your food intake. Some recommendations on how to maintain a healthy diet and to manage well-being are:

• Always keep your body hydrated to avoid fatigue.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Eat fruits, whole-grain cereal, and bread, and decrease your salt intake.
• Include more green vegetables and fiber in your diet plan.
• Consume more lean meats as a protein source.

Risks Associated With Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow transplant procedure can result in various complications. Some of these are minor and can be treated easily while some can be serious and even life-threatening. The complications can vary widely among each individual. Some of them are:

• Diseases such as cancer, anemia, cataracts, and hypotension.
• Infertility or early menopause.
• Graft failure.
• GVHD.
• Bleeding and blood blot.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Chest pain.
• Prolonged headache.
• High fever and chills.
• Breathing difficulties.

Factors That Determine The Success of A Bone Marrow Transplant

The success rate of bone marrow transplant in India is quite high. However, the outcome of the procedure depends on various factors and can vary widely among the person. Common factors that are responsible for the successful outcome are:

• Donor and recipient compatibility.
• The patient’s age and overall health.
• The underlying cause that leads to the need for a transplant.
• The way how the transplant is being carried out.

Why Do Foreigners Choose To Have Bone Marrow Transplant in India?

Many people from different countries opt to have bone marrow transplant in India because in India, bone marrow transplants are expertly performed by a team of highly skilled hematologists, transplant surgeons, and committed medical professionals with a high success rate. Additionally, India has modern facilities equipped with the newest technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure to guarantee the best results for the patients. 

Also, most Indian hospitals have teams that work closely with other specialists to offer pre-transplant evaluations, supportive care, and long-term follow-up in addition to comprehensive care before, during, and after the procedure for patients having a bone marrow transplant in India. Research is ongoing in the field of bone marrow transplant in India, to provide patients with the newest treatment options and ensure them a better outcome. 

Another reason to have a bone marrow transplant in India is the affordability. Patients having bone marrow transplant in India receive exceptional care and have a successful outcome only at a fraction of the cost in other countries.