A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a medical procedure that involves replacing damaged stem cells with healthy ones. In India, the cost of a BMT can vary widely, typically ranging from 10,00,000 to 40,00,000 lakh rupees. This cost includes the procedure itself, hospitalization, laboratory tests, medications, and other related expenses.
According to MedicineNet, the survival rates for BMT patients with nonmalignant diseases are between 70% and 90% with a matched sibling donor and between 36% and 65% with unrelated donors.
What is Bone Marrow Transplant?
Bone marrow may get damaged because of infection, disease or chemotherapy. To replace this bone marrow, new stem cells are transplanted. These new stem cells produce blood cells and help in promoting growth of new marrow. This process comprises bone marrow transplant.
Why is Bone Marrow Transplant Required?
Damaged/infected/unhealthy bone marrow is the main cause for bone marrow transplant. Chronic infection could be the reason for weak bone marrow. Chemotherapy (treatment process for cancer) can also destroy healthy bone marrow cells.
Below mentioned factors can lead and need of bone marrow transplant.
Leukemia
It is a bone marrow or blood-forming tissue cancer. Leukemia patients produce abnormal amounts of blood cells, typically white blood cells.
Anaemia aplastic
A disease in which the bone marrow stops producing new blood cells.
a number of myeloma
Plasma cell cancer affects these vital immune system components. Since bone marrow contains these cells, a bone marrow transplant may be an option for treating multiple myeloma.
Lymphoma
It is lymphatic system cancer. It is precisely a form of white blood cell called a lymphocyte cancer. Since bone marrow is where these white blood cells are produced, lymphoma can be treated with a bone marrow transplant.
Congenital refers to a condition that has existed from birth. A condition known as congenital neutropenia causes recurrent infections.
Chemotherapy
Cancerous cells are the focus of this cancer treatment. Chemotherapy medications taken in high dosages can harm the bone marrow's capacity to create new blood cells.
Thalassemia
Blood condition caused by an inherited gene where the body produces an aberrant kind of haemoglobin. Each and every cell in the body receives oxygen thanks to haemoglobin, a vital component of blood.
Aplastic anaemia
type of anaemia that develops as a result of irregular red blood cell morphology. Because these red blood cells carry less oxygen, patients soon grow exhausted. Bone marrow transplantation is a possibility for treating sickle cell anaemia.
Recurrent exposure to radiation
Radiation therapy is often a choice of treatment for patients who are cancer patients. Though it is beneficial for the patient, radiation therapy comes with some side effects, Chronic exposure to radiation may lead to damage to the bone marrow. This is one of the indications for bone marrow transplant.
In the above mentioned conditions one need to consult with doctor, and might undergo for a bone marrow transplant, which is an extensive and complex surgical procedure and requires intensive planning.
Cost in Top Cities
Cities Cost in INR
Delhi 1586530 to 2000000
Ahmedabad 1200000 1708000
Chennai 1400000 2000000
Hyderabad 1300000 1900000
Kolkata 1200000 1600000
Bangalore 1545000 2000000
Mumbai 1600000 2200000
Pune 1500000 2100000
For your reference, below we have discussed the cost of bone marrow transplants in India. Here is an estimated bone marrow transplantation cost in India on the basis of its types. (depending on the recommendation of your consulting oncologist
Types of BMT Cost in INR In India
Autologous Bone marrow transplant ₹14,00,000 - ₹16,00,000
Allogeneic Bone marrow transplant ₹22,00,000 - ₹28,00,000
Haplo-Allogeneic Bone marrow transplant ₹30,00,000 - ₹35,00,000
The cost might vary for bone marrow transplants in India based on several factors as mentioned below:
Autologous Bone marrow transplant:
This kind of transplant makes use of your personal bone marrow.
Autologous transplants are less expensive than allogeneic ones.
Transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow:
For this kind of transplant, bone marrow from a donor with 10/10 HLA compatibility (ideally a sibling) is used.
Allogeneic is more expensive because there, you must pay for both yourself and your donor when it comes to testing, facilities, lab work, etc.
When bone marrow from a donor (your children, parents, or brother) is utilized in a haplo-allogeneic (haploidentical) bone marrow transplant, the donor has a partial HLA match to the patient.
Haplo-Allogeneic transplants have considerably greater costs because they require more tests and are much more hard to perform.
A bone marrow transplant replaces the body's lost or damaged blood cells with fresh, healthy ones. A stem cell transplant is another name for this medical procedure. For some malignancies, such as leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and some kinds of lymphoma, bone marrow transplantation is an option in India. For one cycle, a stem cell transplant in India costs roughly INR 1,49,000 (USD 2,000).
Pre-operative Preparation
Before a bone marrow transplant, the doctor will give you a series of tests to complete in order to find out what kind of bone marrow cells you need. Before starting a bone marrow transplant operation, a doctor may advise you to undergo a few rounds of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to eradicate all malignant cells. This is known as conditioning regimen.
Here is a list of few tests that are conducted prior to bone marrow transplant procedure to avoid any potential chance of infection.
Chest X-ray
CT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan)
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
Bone marrow biopsy
Evaluating health condition of skeletal structure
Pulmonary function tests
Tests such as electrocardiogram and echocardiogram that help in evaluating heart condition
Post Bone Marrow Transplant Costs:
Monitoring and requirements
Medications cost There will be many expensive medicines prescribed to you after the transplant.
Any additional service availed Any extended hospital stay and use of services
Other consultation Any other consultation with your doctor and other consultations.
Complications management and unanticipated care The cost of monitoring and treatment for complications management and unanticipated care is separate from the transplant cost.
Complications and Risks
The process of a bone marrow transplant is not without hazards and problems. However, they are treatable with the right drugs and therapies.
Following a bone marrow transplant, common risks and consequences include:
Infection
A stem cell transplant may not succeed.
A new form of cancer might develop.
Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) can cause organ damage in recipients of allogeneic transplants.
Infertility
Cataract
In extremely rare circumstances, a bone marrow transplant could be lethal. This occurs if the transplanted stem cells are not even marginally received favorably by the body.
In summary, bone marrow transplantation can be a very successful procedure for treating blood cancer and other blood-related diseases.
Several hospitals in India offer BMT services, including:
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital: Provides treatments such as cell therapy, cord blood transplant, and outpatient transplant services.
CARE Hospitals - Bone Marrow Transplant Cost
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH): Known for its high success rate of over 90% in treating patients.
Dean Dr V KANAGASABAI 25305111, Extn.5111
Dy Supdt Dr K Narayanasamy 25305579, Extn.557925582453
Dy Supdt Dr Sivasubramanian 25305999
RMO Dr Ananda Pradap 25305529 Extn. 5529
Administrative Officer Thiru Chandrasekaran 25305551, Extn. 5551
FAX 044-25305115
FAQ
What is a bone marrow transplant?
A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure that replaces damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow cells. The bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones that produces blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Why is a bone marrow transplant performed?
A bone marrow transplant may be performed to treat a variety of conditions, including blood disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, and immune system disorders such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).
How is a bone marrow transplant performed?
A bone marrow transplant is typically performed in a hospital setting. The patient is given general anesthesia, and the bone marrow is then harvested from the donor through a needle inserted into the hipbone. The healthy bone marrow cells are then infused into the patient's bloodstream, where they travel to the bone marrow and begin producing new blood cells.
Who can be a bone marrow donor?
Bone marrow donors can be related or unrelated to the recipient. In related transplants, a sibling is the most likely donor, as they have a 25% chance of being a match. In unrelated transplants, donors are typically found through a national bone marrow registry.
What is the success rate of bone marrow transplants?
The success rate of bone marrow transplants varies depending on several factors, including the patient's overall health, the type of transplant being performed, and the reason for the transplant. In general, bone marrow transplants have a high success rate and can provide a cure for many patients.
What are the risks and side effects of bone marrow transplants?
The risks and side effects of bone marrow transplants can include infection, bleeding, and a reduced ability to fight infection. The patient may also experience graft-versus-host disease, in which the donor cells attack the recipient's body. These side effects can be serious and life-threatening, and close monitoring and treatment is necessary.
How long does it take to recover from a bone marrow transplant?
The recovery process from a bone marrow transplant can vary greatly, depending on the patient's overall health, the type of transplant, and the reason for the transplant. Most patients spend several weeks to several months in the hospital following the transplant, and a full recovery can take several months to a year.
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