Bone Marrow Transplant

A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a process to replace diseased bone marrow cells with healthy stem cells. Depending on the type of transplant, the donor source, the facility, and the complications, the price of a bone marrow transplant may vary. An allogeneic transplant, which uses a donor's stem cells, often costs more than an autologous transplant, which uses the patient's own stem cells.

What is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant is used to restore bone marrow that has been destroyed or damaged by illness, infection, or chemotherapy. The bone marrow cost varies depending on the procedure. During the procedure, the doctor replaces the damaged blood stem cells with healthier ones, which are then transplanted into the bone marrow. Here, they create new blood cells and encourage the development of new marrow. This process boosts the production of sufficient red blood cells, platelets, or white blood cells by the body, helping to prevent anaemia, bleeding disorders, and other infections.

Healthy stem cells can be obtained from a donor or the person's own body. After the stem cells are extracted, they are stored. Following storage, these healthy cells are transplanted. 

Why is a bone marrow transplant required? 

A Cell Transplant or Bone Marrow Transplant serves three primary purposes:

• It replaces damaged blood cells caused by high-dose chemotherapy or radiation used to eliminate cancer cells. Following cancer treatment, the transplant replenishes the affected cells with healthy ones.
• In the course of chemotherapy, not only are cancer cells targeted, but some healthy blood cells are also harmed. In this procedure, doctors use cell transplants to substitute the damaged cells with fresh, healthy ones.
• It provides new cells that can directly attack and eliminate cancer cells.

What are different types of bone marrow transplants?

There are three types of bone marrow transplantation procedures available:

• Autologous transplant: In this procedure, a patient's own blood cells are collected before chemotherapy, stored, and later returned to the patient's body after chemotherapy or radiation, which is known as a "rescue transplant." These cells can be preserved for an extended period, and doctors store them until needed for transplantation.
• Allogeneic transplant: Here, doctors obtain cells or blood cells from a donor, who can be a family member or an unrelated individual. It's crucial to find a donor whose bone marrow matches the patient's. This type of transplant relies on donor compatibility.
• Umbilical cord blood transplant: Similar to allogeneic transplant, this procedure involves collecting cells or bone marrow from a newborn's umbilical cord immediately after birth. These cells are frozen and stored until required for transplantation. After chemotherapy or radiation, the cells are infused back into the patient's bloodstream through a central venous catheter, akin to a blood transfusion, and they travel from the blood to the bone marrow without the need for surgery.

What is the Cost of Bone Marrow Transplant in India?

The bone marrow cost in India depends on several variables, including the kind of donor, the type of transplant, the complexity of the surgical process, and the hospital or clinic where the transplant is being conducted. In India, the price of a bone marrow transplant typically ranges from Rs. 10,00,000/- to Rs. 40,00,000/- lakh rupees. This price covers all associated costs, such as those for the transplant procedure, hospital stay, lab testing, medications, and other expenses. Depending on the type of transplant and the complexity of the procedure, charges may vary.

Here's a list of cities with varying average cost of bone marrow transplant in India:

What are the Factors Affecting Bone marrow transplant Cost?

The following are the factors that affect bone marrow replacement cost in India:

• Pre-Evaluation Cost - Multiple tests are performed before the transplant to understand the patient's vital statistics. These reports help the doctors use these statistics to determine if a patient is ready for surgery or not.
• Cost of Chemotherapy - Conditions like leukaemia may require the patient to undergo a few cycles of chemotherapy before receiving a bone marrow transplant. The expense of treating that particular condition as a whole increases due to the chemotherapy regimen.
• Type of Hospital - Additionally, bone marrow transplant expenses vary from hospital to hospital and from one city to another. Whether a person chooses a multispecialty hospital, clinic, or bone marrow transplant facility usually affects the overall bone marrow treatment cost. The price also differs across cities.
• Age of the Patients - Another element that affects the bone marrow transplant price is the patient's age. Patients younger than 20 or small kids typically incur higher costs. This is because they need more attention and testing, and their overall length of hospitalisation is longer.

Some of the other factors that affect the bone marrow surgery cost in India are -

• Doctor’s consultation
• Doctor’s experience
• Follow-up charges
• Room charges
• Hospital expenses
• Expenses associated with recovery

Recovery process

Recovery after a bone marrow transplant is a complex and gradual process that varies depending on the type of transplant (autologous, allogeneic, or umbilical cord blood), the patient's overall health, and any complications that may arise. Here's an overview of the general recovery process:

• Hospital Stay: Patients typically spend several weeks in the hospital after the transplant. The duration can vary based on the type of transplant, complications, and how well the patient is recovering.
• Monitoring: During the hospital stay, patients are closely monitored for signs of infection, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and other potential complications.
• Immune System Recovery: Rebuilding the immune system is a crucial aspect of recovery. It can take several months to years for the immune system to fully recover, and during this time, patients are at increased risk of infections.
• Medications: Patients often need to take medications to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants) and prevent GVHD, as well as other medications to support the recovery process.
• Diet and Nutrition: Maintaining a healthy diet is essential, as transplant patients may experience side effects like nausea, diarrhea, or mouth sores. Proper nutrition is vital for healing.
• Follow-Up Care: Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor progress, manage complications, and adjust medications.

What are the different Complications related to Bone Marrow Transplant surgery?

Bone marrow transplant can cause several complications. While some patients might experience minor issues, others may develop severe problems that require immediate medical attention. These complications can sometimes be life-threatening. Following a bone marrow transplant, various problems could arise, including:

• Infections
• Cataracts
• Infertility
• Death
• Development of new cancers
• Organ injury
• Failure of a stem cell transplant
• Graft-versus-host disease, which is exclusively a complication related to allogeneic transplants.

Bone marrow transplants can be life-saving treatments for many individuals with fatal blood disorders. Even though a bone marrow transplant in India can be expensive, it is still feasible to receive high-quality care at a reasonable cost. Visit CARE Hospitals to speak with our specialists and understand your condition better. 

FAQs

1. What is the average cost of a bone marrow transplant? 

The average cost of a bone marrow transplant can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of transplant (autologous or allogeneic), the patient's location, the hospital, and associated medical expenses. On average, it can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's best to consult with healthcare providers or health insurance for specific cost estimates.

2. What are the different complications related to bone marrow transplant surgery? 

Complications related to bone marrow transplant surgery include graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infections, organ damage, bleeding, and adverse reactions to the transplant. These complications can vary in severity and require vigilant medical management.

3. What is the recovery time for a bone marrow transplant? 

Recovery time after a bone marrow transplant varies based on the type of transplant and individual factors. It typically involves weeks to months of post-transplant care, and full recovery can take even longer.

4. Are there additional expenses apart from the transplant itself?

Apart from the transplant itself, additional expenses can include pre-transplant tests, medications, post-transplant follow-up care, accommodation, and travel expenses if the transplant center is not local. Health insurance may cover some of these costs, but patients should be aware of potential out-of-pocket expenses.