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Book Appointment for Bone Marrow Transplant
If a person experiences symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, frequent infections, bone pain, etc., due to a damaged or diseased bone marrow, they may need a bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant is the procedure that replaces the damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells.
The bone marrow transplant procedure can be a life-saving treatment for people with certain cancers, such as leukaemia and lymphoma. Patients typically require close monitoring and care before, during, and after the transplant. The following article discusses bone marrow transplant meaning, types, procedures, side effects, and success rate. Continue reading to find out.
Surgery Name | Bone Marrow Transplant |
Alternative Name | Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant |
Conditions Treated | Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Aplastic Anaemia, Congenital Neutropenia, Leukaemia |
Benefits of the Surgery | Cure or Long-Term Remission, Improved Quality of Life, Decreased need for Transfusions, Potential to Restore Immune Function |
Treated By | Haematologist, Oncologists |
You can check Bone Marrow Transplant Cost here.
A bone marrow transplant (BMT), or haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), is the process of infusing healthy blood-forming cells into the patient’s body to replace the bone marrow that is not producing enough healthy blood cells. During a bone marrow transplant, doctors may transplant cells from the patient’s own body or a donor.
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue inside the body’s bones, particularly in the pelvic bones, sternum, and long arm and leg bones. It comprises two types of tissue: red marrow and yellow marrow.
The process of cell production in the bone marrow is called haematopoiesis. It begins with hematopoietic stem cells, which can differentiate into two types of progenitor cells:
The regulation of haematopoiesis is a complex process that involves various growth factors and signalling pathways. Abnormalities in haematopoiesis can lead to various blood disorders, such as anaemia, leukaemia, and lymphoma.
A bone marrow transplant is performed for various medical reasons, mainly to treat conditions affecting the bone marrow or blood cells. Some of the most common reasons for recommending a bone marrow transplant include:
Bone marrow transplant is recommended for individuals with a condition that affects the bone marrow or blood cells.It is usually recommended when people have exhausted other treatment options or have a high risk of treatment failure.A person with any of the following conditions may be an ideal candidate for a bone marrow transplant procedure:
A bone marrow transplant is not a surgery. Instead, the procedure is similar to a blood transfusion. The patient is awake during the procedure. While the procedure for bone marrow transplant can vary depending on the specific type of transplant and the patient’s condition, it generally involves the following steps:
Two major types of bone marrow transplants depend on the source of healthy blood cells to replace the damaged bone marrow. The type of procedure used depends on the need of the procedure. The two types of transplant include:
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A bone marrow transplant is a complex, multi-step procedure that requires several tests and preparations beforehand. The doctor will also explain the procedure and instructions to be followed. The following is what the patient can expect before the transplant:
Since bone marrow transplants can take up to 5 to 7 days, patients must make arrangements before their first transplant session, including:
Finding a suitable donor for a bone marrow transplant is crucial for the procedure’s success. There are two main types of donors: related donors and unrelated donors.
Finding a suitable donor for a bone marrow transplant is a complex process requiring careful matching and coordination between doctors, patients, and potential donors.
While preparing for the transplant, the patient may need a hospital stay of about 5 to 7 days to undergo some tests and procedures. Here’s what the patient can expect at the hospital before the procedure:
Pretransplant Tests
The patient may need to go through a series of tests and procedures for several days to ensure they are physically prepared for the transplant.
Collecting Cells for Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant
Before a bone marrow transplant, the patient must undergo a procedure to collect the bone marrow or stem cells used in the transplant. If the cells are being collected from the patient, i.e., an autologous transplant, the cells can be collected in two ways:
Collecting Cells for Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant
If the cells are being collected from a donor, i.e. an allogeneic transplant, the donor can donate bone marrow or stem cells in three ways:
Conditioning
After completing the pretests and before the transplant, the patient receives high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy to:
The type of conditioning process depends on several factors, such as the type of transplant planned, the disease being treated, and the patient’s overall health. The side effects of the conditioning process may include:
After the transplant, the patient will remain under close medical care. While some people can leave the hospital soon after the transplant, others may need to remain there for several weeks or even months. How long a patient stays at the hospital depends on several factors, such as:
During the hospital stay, patients can expect to undergo a variety of post-transplant procedures and tests, including:
The patient will get discharged from the hospital when their condition stabilises, and they meet certain criteria, i.e., a specific blood cell count and no fever for two days.
The typical recovery time after a bone marrow transplant can take three months. However, complete recovery can even take up to a year. The recovery process at home includes the following:
The first follow-up appointment after the bone marrow transplant will be scheduled within a week of discharge from the hospital.
The bone marrow transplant success rate is a staggering 60 to 90% amongst the best hospitals in India. However, the success of the transplant primarily depends on how close the donor and recipient genetically match.Sometimes, finding a good match among unrelated donors can be difficult. Furthermore, it can be difficult to predict the severity of the side effects and the success of the transplant.
Generally, when the donor is a sibling, the survival rates can range between 66% and 99%. Survival rates can range between 62% and 100% when the donor is not related to the recipient.
Each case is unique, and the success or survival rate can vary based on specific circumstances. Several factors can affect the success or survival rate of a bone marrow transplant. These include:
Bone marrow transplants can provide several benefits for patients with certain medical conditions. The patient and their healthcare team should carefully consider the decision to undergo BMT, weighing the potential benefits against the risks and potential complications. The benefits include:
While bone marrow transplants can provide many benefits, certain risks and potential complications are associated with the procedure. Since it is considered a major medical procedure, it increases a person’s risk of experiencing the following:
While the above symptoms are usually short-lived, a bone marrow transplant can also cause other serious complications.
The chances of developing these complications depend on the patient’s age, overall health, the disease being treated, and the type of transplant performed.
Complications can range from mild to serious and can include:
Infections after a bone marrow transplant can be life-threatening. The patient must immediately inform their doctor if they experience the following signs of infections:
A delayed bone marrow transplant refers to a situation where a patient who would benefit from a bone marrow transplant does not receive the procedure promptly.
While the risks can vary depending on the specific condition being treated and individual circumstances, there are potential consequences associated with delaying a bone marrow transplant:
Bone marrow transplant cost in India ranges between ₹ 15,00,000 to ₹ 27,00,000. The actual cost of the procedure depends on the type of bone marrow transplant performed. Autologous and allogeneic are the two most common types of bone marrow transplants, whose costs are as follows:
Types of Bone Marrow Transplant | Cost |
Autologous BMT | ₹ 15,00,000 to ₹ 17,00,000 |
Allogeneic BMT | ₹ 18,00,000 to ₹ 27,00,000 |
Several tests and procedures are included in the bone marrow transplant, which may affect the cost of the procedure. The pre-procedure bone marrow transplant costs include the following:
Pre-procedure tests and treatments | Cost |
Health checkup | ₹ 600 to ₹ 5000 |
Tests and investigations (Blood tests, ECG, X-rays, etc.) | ₹ 55,892 to ₹ 69,865 |
HLA typing (if required) | ₹ 4000 to ₹ 15000 |
Chemotherapy | ₹ 1,04,797 to ₹ 1,25,077 per chemo cycle |
Radiation therapy |
₹ 1,66,770 to ₹ 4,86,955 |
A bone marrow transplant is a crucial procedure that can save the lives of individuals with different blood disorders and cancers. It involves replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
While the procedure can have potential risks and complications, the benefits can be life-changing.
With continued advancements in technology and research, bone marrow transplant offers hope for many patients worldwide. If you may need a bone marrow transplant, consult a doctor to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure.
At HexaHealth, we aim to make the bone marrow transplant journey as seamless and stress-free as possible for our patients.
Our team offers guidance and support to patients and their families throughout the transplant process, from initial consultations to long-term follow-up care.
So if this is what you are looking for, contact an HexaHealth expert today to discuss more about bone marrow transplant meaning, benefits, side effects, procedure, and more!
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A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure where damaged or diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells.
The stem cells can come from a donor (allogeneic) or the patient’s own body (autologous) and are transplanted into the patient’s bloodstream. These stem cells travel to the patient’s bone marrow and start producing new blood cells.
A bone marrow transplant procedure is required when a person’s bone marrow is not working correctly or has been damaged by certain medical conditions.
The procedure replaces the diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells to help the body produce new blood cells and restore the immune system.
Patients with bone marrow cancer (leukaemia, lymphoma, or aplastic anaemia) who have not responded to other treatments or have a high risk of relapse can undergo a bone marrow transplant. People with certain genetic or metabolic disorders also qualify for bone marrow transplants. The decision is made after careful evaluation by a healthcare team.
There are majorly two types of bone marrow transplants: autologous, which uses a patient’s own cells, and allogeneic, which uses cells from a matched donor.
Several factors can influence the bone marrow transplant success rate such as:
Common bone marrow transplant side effects such as:
The severity of these side effects can vary depending on the patient’s health and the type of transplant.
A person with certain types of cancer, blood disorders, or immune system disorders may be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant. However, the decision for a bone marrow transplant depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, and the type and stage of the disease.
The risks associated with a bone marrow transplant include:
The severity of these risks depends on several factors, including the type of transplant, the patient’s age and overall health, and the stage of the disease.
The cost of a bone marrow transplant can vary greatly depending on numerous factors like the type of transplant, hospital charges, duration of hospital stay, pre and post-transplant medications, and additional medical procedures.
The approximate cost of an autologous transplant is ₹ 15,00,000 to ₹ 17,00,000, and an allogeneic transplant is ₹ 25,00,000 to ₹ 30,00,000.
The donor for a bone marrow transplant is selected based on the compatibility of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue type with the recipient.
Siblings are more likely to be matched, but if no sibling is available, a matched unrelated donor (MUD) can be found through national or international registries.
The process of finding a bone marrow donor involves testing the patient. Usually, the search begins by matching family members, preferably a sibling.
If no match is found, then national and international registries are searched for a match. If a match is found, the potential donor is asked if they are willing to donate.
After a bone marrow transplant, the new immune cells from the donor (in an allogeneic transplant) may recognise the recipient’s tissues as foreign and attack them, resulting in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
The recipient’s immune system may also attack the new cells, known as graft rejection.
Doctors monitor the progress of a bone marrow transplant through blood tests, physical exams, and imaging tests.
They check for engraftment of the transplanted cells, monitor the levels of blood cells, and look for signs of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or infection.
Bone marrow transplant side effects may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, hair loss, skin rash, infections, bleeding, anaemia, lung and liver damage, and graft-versus-host disease.
The severity and duration of the side effects may vary depending on the type of transplant and individual factors.
The long-term effects of a bone marrow transplant depend on various factors, including the patient’s age, the type of bone marrow transplant, and the presence of any complications.
Common long-term effects may include an increased risk of infections, infertility, cataracts, and chronic graft-versus-host disease. However, many people who undergo bone marrow transplants lead healthy, productive lives.
To reduce the risk of complications after a bone marrow transplant, it is important to follow the medical team’s instructions carefully, attend all follow-up appointments, take medications as prescribed, maintain good nutrition and hygiene, and avoid exposure to infections.
The survival rate after a bone marrow transplant varies depending on the patient’s age and health, the type of transplant, the underlying condition being treated, and the donor source.
On average, the survival rate for patients with a matched sibling donor is about 66% to 99%. The survival rate is 62% to 100% with unrelated donors.
A bone marrow transplant helps treat cancer by replacing damaged or cancerous bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
High-dose chemotherapy or radiation is used to kill the cancerous cells, and then the patient receives healthy stem cells, which can grow and create new, healthy blood cells.
This process can help treat various types of cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Stem cells are the foundation of a bone marrow transplant, as they are the ones that generate new blood cells.
In the procedure, the patient receives healthy stem cells from a donor or their own, which migrate to the bone marrow and produce new blood cells, replacing the damaged or diseased ones.
Besides cancer, bone marrow transplants can also treat various non-cancerous conditions, such as genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, and immune system disorders like severe combined immunodeficiency and aplastic anaemia.
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All the articles on HexaHealth are supported by verified medically-recognized sources such as; peer-reviewed academic research papers, research institutions, and medical journals. Our medical reviewers also check references of the articles to prioritize accuracy and relevance. Refer to our detailed editorial policy for more information.
Last Updated on: 15 July 2023
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
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Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
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