Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bone Marrow Transplant?

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is a procedure that involves the replacement of damaged stem cells (blood-forming cells) with healthy stem cells. The damage of the stem cells occurs due to some disease conditions or due to high doses of radiation therapy given for cancer treatment. There are different types of Bone Marrow Transplant. They are: 

1. Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant
2. Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplant
3. Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplant
4. Umbilical Cord Bone Marrow Transplant 

The healthy stem cells can be taken from the patient's bone marrow or a donor. If the stem cells of the patients are collected before starting the treatment then it is called autologous. If the stem cells are collected from someone who is not an identical twin, then it is called allogenic. If the stem cells are collected from the identical twin, it is called syngenic. In the case of Umbilical Cord Bone Marrow Transplant, the stem cells are taken immediately after delivery from the umbilical cord. These stem cells from the umbilical cord will be reproduced into mature and functioning blood-forming cells. This is used to treat cancers like leukemias, lymphomas, and other disorders like immune deficiency disorders, aplastic anemia, etc.  

What are the advantages of a Bone Marrow Transplant?

The following are the advantages of a Bone Marrow Transplant:

1. Bone Marrow Transplant is helpful to replace damaged or diseased marrow with healthy stem cells.
2. Bone Marrow Transplant will allow the treatment of cancer with high doses of radiation or chemotherapy by replacing bone marrow cells which are damaged due to this treatment.
3. This will also provide new and healthy stem cells that may kill cancer cells directly. 

What are the indications of a Bone Marrow Transplant?

Bone Marrow Transplant is indicated in the following conditions:

1. Leukemia, sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia
2. Immune deficiency disorders
3. Malignancy
4. Hurler's syndrome
5. Adrenoleukodystrophy 
6. Multiple myelomas
7. Relapsed Hodgkins disease
8. Relapsed Non-Hodgkins disease
9. Neuroblastoma
10. Metastatic germ cells tumors
11. Acute myeloid leukemia

What is the preparation for Bone Marrow Transplant?

Following steps are required for an individual for preparation of Bone Marrow Transplant:

1. Your complete medical history will be evaluated before a Bone Marrow Transplant and you will be examined physically before the transplant.
2. The doctor may ask you to undergo a few lab tests before the transplant.
3. 1 or 2 tubes called catheters are inserted into your blood vessels in the arms or neck. These tubes will help in receiving fluids, nutrition, treatments, etc. Sometimes blood is also drawn through the catheter.
4. Sometimes you may be advised to consult a counselor to deal with the emotional stress that you may go through.
5. You may be asked to visit the hospital 10 days prior to Bone Marrow Transplant for evaluation, hydration, placement of the catheter, and other related preparations.
6. A donor should be arranged prior to the Bone Marrow Transplant. This can be sometimes a challenging task. There are several national and international registries which may help you to find a suitable donor. 

What are the steps involved in Bone Marrow Transplant?

The following are the steps involved in Bone Marrow Transplant:

1. The first step involves the collection of stem cells from the donor.
2. The second step is to destroy the existing bone marrow completely so that the new stem cells can be accommodated.
3. In the final step, the stem cells are infused intravenously through the catheter which was inserted prior to this procedure. 
4. The results can be observed 2-3 weeks after the infusion.

 What is the postprocedure care/recovery care for Bone Marrow Transplant?

1. After the Bone Marrow Transplant, you may need to spend a few weeks in the hospital.
2. After the transplant, you may feel very drowsy for the next few hours.
3.  There may be pain and discomfort post-transplant. The doctor may prescribe some painkillers to reduce the pain.
4. Follow all the instructions given by the doctor without fail.  
5. Make follow-up visits to the doctor to monitor your condition.
6. During your hospital stay, you may be very susceptible to infections. Hence avoid visitors and stay in a clean environment.
7. You may be asked to undergo continuous lab tests to check if the white cell count has increased.

 Who can perform Bone Marrow Transplant [Right specialist type for Bone Marrow Transplant]?

Bone Marrow Transplant can be performed by a certified and skilled Oncologist who is experienced in Bone Marrow Transplant.

 What is the cost of a Bone Marrow Transplant?

The cost of Bone Marrow Transplant may vary according to the following factors:

1. Admission fee
2. Doctor fee
3. Type of hospital
4. Age of the patient
5. Donor
6. Type of Bone Marrow Transplant
7. The medical condition of the patient
8. Post-transplant complications that are involved
9. The admission room that you opted for
10. Any other lab tests or imaging tests such as X-ray, ECG, etc.

Minimum price in Delhi starts from Rs.15,75,000

Average expenses in Delhi is approximately Rs.21,00,000

Maximum cost in Delhi rises up to Rs.42,00,000

Is Bone Marrow Transplant a major surgery or minor surgery?

Bone Marrow Transplant is considered a minor surgery since it is a minimally invasive surgery.

What is the eligibility criteria for Bone Marrow Transplant?  

The eligibility criteria for Bone Marrow Transplant are:

1.  Patient's age between 18 and 65 years
2. The medical status of the patient
3. Matching donor
4. Proper mental health

What is the ineligibility criteria for Bone Marrow Transplant?   

The ineligibility criteria for Bone Marrow Transplant are:

1.  AIDS/HIV
2. Allergies
3. Autoimmune diseases
4. Arthritis
5. Asthma
6. Bleeding disorders
7. Blood pressure
8. Diabetes
9. Depression
10. Epilepsy
11. Kidney problems
12. Liver disease
13. Cardiac disease

What are the risks and complications associated with Bone Marrow Transplant?

The following are the risks and complications associated with Bone Marrow Transplant:

1. Stem cell failure
2. Damage of the organs
3. Graft-versus-host disease
4. Infections
5. Infertility
6. Cataract
7. New cancers

What is the recovery time?

Generally, the results can be observed within 2-3 weeks after the infusion of stem cells. There will be a rise in the white blood cell count after 28 days of the first transplant. The overall recovery time for Bone Marrow Transplant is about 3 months.

What is the success rate of Bone Marrow Transplant? 

The success rate of the Bone Marrow Transplant depends on the following factors:

1. Type of Bone Marrow Transplant
2. Type of donor
3. Medical condition of the patient etc.

The overall success rate of Bone Marrow Transplant is about 62%.

Is Bone Marrow Transplant painful?

There is no pain involved in the Bone Marrow Transplant procedure since it is minimally invasive.

Is Bone Marrow Transplant Permanent?

The Bone Marrow Transplant is a permanent procedure.

Can Bone Marrow Transplant be detected in the future?

Bone Marrow Transplant cannot be detected in the future.

What are the options if Bone Marrow Transplant fails?

The options if Bone Marrow Transplant is not successful are:

1. Chemotherapy
2. Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI)
3. Second transplant