Buy Health Insurance Online

Exclusive

Wellness Benefits

24*7 Claims

Support

Tax Savings

u/s 80D

Zero Paperwork Online Process

Pin Code

+91 Enter Mobile Number

Try agian later

I agree to the Terms & Conditions

Port My Policy

Download Policy

(Incl 18% GST)

What is Bone Marrow Transplant? - Types, Side Effects & Cost

Bone marrow is a soft and spongy body tissue containing hematopoietic stem cells. These cells are at the centre of the bones or in the blood, moving throughout your body. They are very important cells carrying different jobs. However, under some circumstances, they get damaged and do not produce enough white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

So, doctors often have to perform bone marrow transplants to replace them with healthy stem cells. Keep reading this piece to clearly understand what a bone marrow transplant is, the things it treats, its types and other factors.

Team Digit

What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant is a medical procedure doctors carry out to infuse healthy blood-forming stem cells in place of damaged bone marrow that cannot produce the same. This procedure may also serve as helpful in case of infection or chemotherapy.

Also, to perform this surgery, the doctors can take healthy stem cells from a donor or your body. However, if taken from the body, the stem cells are first harvested and grown. Then later, they are stored and transplanted as healthy cells. As a result, your body will again be able to produce enough platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells to avoid infection, anaemia or bleeding.

What Does Bone Marrow Transplant Help to Treat?

There can be several conditions due to which your bone marrow may not be able to function properly and produce enough stem cells. For example, it can be because of a disease, chronic infection or cancer treatments. The list of diseases treated by bone marrow transplantation are:

Cancer affecting bone marrow like lymphoma, leukaemia, and multiple myeloma
Aplastic anaemia, in which bone marrow stops making any new blood cells
Sickle cell anaemia, in which the blood disorder causes red blood cells to misshape
Congenital neutropenia, which results in recurring infection
Thalassemia, which results in an abnormal formation of haemoglobin affecting the production of red blood cells

What Are the Different Types of Bone Marrow Transplants?

The following are the different types of bone marrow transplants available to you. However, which one you should go through will depend on the reason for the transplant:

1. Autologous Transplants

In autologous transplants, the healthy stem cells come from your own body. They typically involve the harvesting of cell processes, i.e., before chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The doctors remove and rescue your stem cells as these treatment plans often damage them, thus affecting your immune system. Later, after the treatment is done, your stem cells are returned to their original place. Benefits related to this transplant include:

Benefits
- No need to go through immunosuppressive therapy
- Lower risk of developing an opportunistic infection
- Rapid immune reconstitution
Survival Rate After Surgery:
- The five-year survival rate of Autologous Transplant ranges from 50% to 60%.
Cost of Surgery
- Approximately ₹1500000 to ₹1700000

2. Allogeneic Transplants

Allogenic is another type of transplant where stem cells are extracted from another person called the donor. However, this donor cannot be anyone. He or she should be someone with a close genetic match. So, it often includes a compatible relative. This process is mainly suggested when you have damaged your bone marrow cells. The benefits of the process is discussed below:

Benefits
- Formation of the new immune system
- Cells will be free of cancer or any other disease
- The donor can provide more stem cells if required
Survival Rate After Surgery:
- The 10-year survival rate after undergoing Allogeneic Transplants amounts to 80%.
Cost of Surgery
- Approximately ₹2500000 to ₹3000000

3. Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant

This is a type of bone marrow transplant in which the doctors attract stem cells from umbilical cord blood. An umbilical cord is an extension that connects the mother to the baby before birth. Doctors mainly recommend this process when the patient's stem cell is completely damaged and there is no fully matched available donor. The benefits are as follows:

Benefits
- Reduced chances of developing graft-versus-host disease
- Lesser risk of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) mismatch
- Easy availability
Survival Rate After Surgery:
- The three-year survival rate after going through Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant amounts to 95%.
Cost of Surgery
- Approximately ₹2100000 to ₹2800000

How Should I Prepare for a Bone Marrow Transplant?

Getting a bone marrow transplant is a big thing. Thus, you must make proper arrangements before entering the treatment process. Some of the points you may need to cover include:

Remember to stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet.
Exercising will help keep the body strong enough to withstand and recover from the surgery.
Taking medical leave from work to give yourself some time to recover
Understanding the terms and applying for insurance coverage because the process can be expensive
Asking your loved ones/caregivers to stay with you as you will need assistance
Making arrangements for convenient travel from and to the hospital

Apart from these, make a list of questions you want to ask your doctor about this operation. It will give you the confidence and clarity needed to go through the transplant smoothly. Also, if required, you can even take sessions from hospital counsellors.

What Are the Risks of Bone Marrow Transplant?

There are several risks that bone marrow transplants can pose to people. While some are minimal issues, others can be life-threatening. So, ensure you keep your doctors updated at all points. The complications include:

Skin rash
Infection
Bleeding
Muscle spasms or leg cramps
Fertility problem
Low blood cell count
Inflammation
Breathing problem
Organ damage
Cancer

What to Expect Before Bone Marrow Transplant?

Before going through a bone marrow transplant, the doctors suggest you undergo various physical exams and tests to identify the best transplant for you. It will involve checking your blood and the condition of your lungs, heart, liver and other organs.

The healthcare experts will also call you to the hospital a few days before for collecting cell purposes. On this day, a long thin tube called an intravenous catheter will be implanted in the large vein of your chest or neck. It will stay inside you until the treatment since they will use it later to collect blood and give you medicines.

Collecting Cells for Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant

The doctors will use a procedure of apheresis to collect your blood stem cells if the transplant of your own stem cell has been planned. However, to prepare for apheresis, you will have to take daily injections to boost the production of stem cells.

In the process, medical experts will draw blood from your vein and circulate it through a machine. This helps separate different parts of your blood, including your stem cells which are then collected and frozen for later use in the transplant. The blood left is again returned to your body. This entire process will take 1 or 2 hours

Collecting Cells for Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

In the case of transplanting another person's stem cell into your body, you will have to find a donor that matches your genetics. For this purpose, your doctor will try and match someone who contains the same type of protein in their white blood cells as you. This is called human leukocyte antigen (HLA).

You and your family members have the same HLA, but even if your donor is a relative, the doctors will still check by following this process.

Collecting Cells for Umbilical Cord Transplant

You can think of an umbilical cord transplant as a type of allogeneic transplant in which the doctors collect stem cells from umbilical cord blood. The cord is stored and frozen in medical centres until doctors use it to perform the transplant. However, in this case, doctors can only extract fewer stem cells than other bone marrow transplant methods.

Nevertheless, stem cells collected from umbilical cord blood can grow more blood cells. They are also immunologically naïve as they are free of exposure to any infection. Thus, making it more tolerant of tissue mismatch.

What to Expect During Bone Marrow Transplant?

If you are looking for how a bone marrow transplant is done, you must know it is a series of procedures that you may have to go through. First comes the conditioning or reduced-intensity conditioning, and then a bone marrow transplant. The process is as follows:

Conditioning Process

After the pre-transplant tests and procedures are over, you enter the conditioning process in which you undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy for ten days. This is important to suppress your immune system, destroy cancer cells if you have cancer with a possibility of spreading to other parts, and prepare your bone marrow for a stem cell transplant.

The type of conditioning processes the doctors will suggest to you will depend on various factors. For example, it may include your overall health, the type of transplant, and the disease they are treating. However, there will be certain side effects of the conditioning process, which include:

Hair loss
Diarrhoea
Nausea and vomiting
Bleeding
Cataract
Infection
Fatigue
Mouth sores or ulcers
Anaemia

Reduced-intensity Conditioning

If your age or health does not permit a high-dose conditioning process, the doctors may recommend you to opt for a lower dose or other types of radiation and chemotherapy. This is referred to as reduced-intensity conditioning.

This process helps destroy some cancer cells in your body and suppress your immune system. Later, doctors infuse cells from your donor into your body, which further replaces your bone marrow cells over time. Finally, immune factors present in the donor cells then try to destroy the remaining cancer cells.

Bone Marrow Transplant

After the conditioning process, the doctors will prepare you for a bone marrow transplant. On the day of the surgery, they will infuse stem cells into your body through a central line. This process is painless, so you will be awake throughout.

Once the new stem cells reach your marrow, they will again start growing red blood cells and white blood cells. The process is known as engraftment and generally takes a time span of 2 to 4 weeks.

What to Expect After Bone Marrow Transplant?

Upon completing the procedures for a bone marrow transplant, the medical experts will shift you to a ward where they can keep a close view of you. So, you can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days or longer for treatment if any complication arises.

For the first few weeks, the professionals will take your blood samples to test the progress of engraftment. Later, you will be allowed to return home if you satisfy certain bone marrow transplant recovery criteria. For example, you must have no fever for two days and attain a specific blood cell count.

Remember, your immune system will take some time, like a year or more, to heal after the transplant. So, you must attend every appointment and take prescribed medication to avoid graft-vs-host disease.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

There are certain side effects of bone marrow transplants that show rejection of the operation. In case these symptoms are visible to you, you must immediately call your doctor:

Mucositis, inflammation or sores in the mouth
Bacterial or fungal infection
Bruising and bleeding
Interstitial pneumonitis and other lung problems
Graft-versus-host disease
Graft failure
Hepatic venous-occlusive disease

What Is the Cost for a Bone Marrow Transplant in India?

The cost of a bone marrow transplant in India ranges from ₹ 14,25,000 to ₹ 30,00,000. However, this range can change depending on various factors like the extent of complications, the type of transplant and the city you are getting your treatment in.

This is all the information regarding what a bone marrow transplant is. Hope this guide has helped you understand the procedure and know the types of transplantation available and the risks involved.

Remember, it is an intensive process, so before you go through it, get assistance from your loved ones first. Lastly, recovery may take time, so be patient with yourself.

FAQs About Bone Marrow Transplant

All

What is the dietary recommendation to follow after a bone marrow transplant?

Dietary experts suggest eating healthy foods to avoid getting foodborne infections after a bone marrow transplant. Like, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and healthy fats. Also, limit your salt intake, say no to alcohol and avoid grapefruit juice.

What extra care do you have to take after a bone marrow transplant?

The doctors may suggest you make some lifestyle changes post-bone marrow transplant care. Like not going out in the direct sun as your skin will be more sensitive, taking care of cavities, abstaining from tobacco, keeping your home clean and free from mould, and not getting linked.

Does the donor’s age matter in a bone marrow transplant?

Yes, the donor's age is one of the factors influencing a patient's survival rate. Thus, doctors suggest finding a donor between 18 and 35 age group about 75% of the time.

Other Important Articles about Procedures & Tests

ACL Reconstruction Surgery

What Is Nt Scan

Basti In Ayurveda

Can Smokers Donate Blood

Can A Person With Tattoo Donate Blood

Medical Tourism In Singapore

What Is RPR Test

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Medical Tourism In Thailand

Heart Valve Surgery

Difference Between Nebulizer And Inhaler

What Is Ct Scan

What Is Pedometer

What Is D Dimer Test

What Is Exposure Therapy

Spine Decompression Surgery

Robotic Assisted Sacrocolpopexy

Homeopathy For Back Pain

What Is Systematic Desensitisation Therapy

What is Cholesterol Test

Virechana Panchakarma Treatment

When To Take A Pregnancy Test

Bypass Surgery

Medical Tourism In Us

Hip Replacement Surgery

Rdw In Blood Test

Hct In Blood Test

What Is Mchc In Blood Test

What Is Couples Therapy

Raktamokshana

What Is Thyroid Function Test

What Is Nasal Cannula

Rabies Vaccine

What Is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Homoeopathy For Hair Fall

What Is FBS Test

Laparoscopic Surgery

What is a Glucometer

What Is Rbs Test

Homeopathy For Knee Pain

What Are X Rays

Difference Between Homeopathy And Allopathy

Dance Movement Therapy

What Is Mammography

What Is Influenza Vaccine

Pcv In Blood Test

Pulse Oximetry Test

What is Romberg Test?

Homoeopathy for Cough

Homeopathy For Sinusitis

Types Of Thermometers

Remedial Therapy And Massage Treatment

Ayurveda For Hair Growth

What Is VDRL Test

Allopathy Vs Ayurveda

What Is Apnea Monitor

Benefits Of Blood Donation

Sarvanga Swedana

What is Biopsy Test

Homoeopathy For Piles

Homeopathy For Blood Pressure

Endarterectomy Surgery

Homeopathy For Eczema

Endometrial Ablation

What Is IDH Blood Tests

Medical Tourism In Turkey

Dinacharya In Ayurveda

Homoeopathy For Chest Congestion

Blood Donation Eligibility Criteria

Bone Marrow Transplant

Hernia Surgery

Medical Tourism Destinations

Atherectomy Surgery

Can Diabetics Donate Blood

What is Electrocardiogram Test

How To Use A Steamer

Homeopathy For Fatty Liver

Decompressive Craniectomy Surgery

What is a Nebulizer

Alt In Blood Test

Types Of Heating Pads

What Is Tongue Scraping

What Is AMA Test

Abhyanga Massage

What Is Flooding Therapy

LDH Blood Test

Knee Replacement Surgery

Plt Blood Test

What is Electroencephalogram Test

Cervical Spine Surgery

World Blood Donor Day

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

What is MRI Scan

Hepatitis B Vaccine

What Is Crp Blood Test

Endoscopic Surgery

Polio Vaccine

Peripheral Artery Disease Surgery

Varicose Vein Surgery

Joint Fusion Surgery

What is Antinuclear Antibody Test

Yoga Mudra And Benefits

Spine Surgery

What Is Sonography Test

What is Abdominal CT Scan

Angioplasty Surgery

What Is Spirometry Test

Homeopathy for Cholesterol

MPV Blood Test

Homoeopathy For Kidney Stones

Types Of Pranayama

Full Body Detox

Cholecystectomy Surgery

Homeopathy For Constipation

Rituacharya In Ayurveda

Oxygen Concentrators

Homeopathy For Allergic Rhinitis

Foods to Eat before and after Donating Blood

Heart Surgery

Sudarshan Kriya

Homeopathy For Fungal Infection

Triple Marker Test In Pregnancy

What Is Collaborative Therapy

Meditation Benefits

What Is Interpersonal Therapy

What Is Occupational Therapy

Sgot Blood Test

What Is Echocardiogram

What is Colonoscopy Test

Appendectomy

Homeopathy For Asthma

What Is Bcg Vaccine Full Form

What Is Nature Therapy

Homoeopathy For Pollen Allergy

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Difference Between Homeopathy And Ayurveda

What is PET Scan Test

Side Effects Of Blood Donation

Laminectomy Procedure

Homeopathy for Diabetes

What Is Pneumonia Vaccine

What Is Hakomi Therapy

Jala Neti Benefits

What is Gastroscopy

Homoeopathy For Migraine

How To Choose The Right Therapist

Vamana Therapy

How To Use A Blood Pressure Monitor

Homeopathy for Gastritis

Cataract Eye Surgery

Pacemaker Surgery

What is Kriya Yoga?

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

What Is Kidney Function Test

Gandusha Kriya Oil Pulling

What Is Therapy For Anxiety

What Is Supportive Therapy

What Is Psychodynamic Therapy

Panchakarma Treatment

Blood Donation After Covid Vaccine

What Is Rbc In Blood Test

What is a Ventilator

Ventriculostomy Procedure

What Is Esr Blood Test Full Form

Get 10+ Exclusive Features only on Digit App

Install

Get 10+ Exclusive Features only on Digit App

Latest News

Currently there are no news to show.

Renew & Download Policy Document, Check Challan, Credit Score, PUC & more

43K+ Reviews

4.7

Rated App

43K+ Reviews

7K+ Reviews

4.4

Rated App

7K+ Reviews

Download the App

CIN: U66010PN2016PLC167410, IRDAI Reg. No. 158.

Go Digit General Insurance Limited (formerly known as Oben General Insurance Ltd.) - Registered Office Address - 1 to 6 floors, Ananta One (AR One), Pride Hotel Lane, Narveer Tanaji Wadi, City Survey No.1579, Shivaji Nagar, Pune-411005, Maharashtra | Corporate Office Address - Atlantis, 95, 4th B Cross Road, Koramangala Industrial Layout, 5th Block, Bengaluru-560095, Karnataka | Trade logo of Go Digit General Insurance Ltd. displayed above belongs to Go Digit lnfoworks Services Private Limited and is provided and used by Go Digit General Insurance Ltd. under license.