The bone marrow is the spongy, fatty tissue that is present in the
center of your bones. The main function of the bone marrow is to produce RBCs,
WBCs, and platelets.
The bone marrow transplant or Stem cell transplant is the
procedure through which a donor or your blood stem cells are transplanted in
the bone marrow so that these active or healthy or strong stem cells replace
the infected or destroyed cells in the bone marrow.
There are 2 types of bone marrow transplant:
·
Allogeneic Bone
Marrow Transplant(Healthy stem cells taken from a donor)
·
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant or Rescue Transplant (healthy stem cells are taken from your body with the help of a
process called apheresis)
Procedure:
Pre-transplant
In this procedure, the bone marrow examination test is to be
performed to determine the types of bone marrow you require. Like, if you are
taking cancer treatment then you might get BMA (bone marrow aspiration) &
biopsy done too. It will take several days to make sure
that you are a suitable candidate.
Conditioning process
There are two ways
·
Mini transplant
is the process in which operations are given to you in smaller doses of
radiation and chemotherapy.
·
Ablative treatment
is the process in which operations are given in high doses of radiation,
chemotherapy, or a combination of both treatments.
Conditions/Reasons
and Risks:
The major reasons/conditions for bone marrow transplants are as
follows:
·
Immune
deficiencies
·
Congenital
neutropenia
·
POEM syndrome
·
Aplastic Anemia,
Neuroblastoma
·
Plasma cells
disorder
·
Metabolism error
of inborn
·
Cancer(Bone
Marrow)
·
Adrenoleukodystrophy
The major risk associated with the bone marrow transplants are as
follows:
Minor Risk arises due to bone marrow transplant includes impaired
taste, a prolonged headache, blood pressure drop, stroke or chest pain, nausea,
chills, and difficulties in breathing. There are some serious risks which are
associated with the procedure of transplant such as:
·
GVHD (host
disease) can be harmful to your body
·
Contract
infection easily
·
Liver clotting
·
Anemia
·
Vital organs such
as lungs & brain start breeding
Recovery &
Cost:
Recovery after transplantation will take a few weeks. Stick to a
healthy diet for fast recovery. The main keys to recover you are: stay
hydrated, avoid hard drinks, include only whole grain products, low salt
content, low dairy product, etc.
The stem transplant cost depends on several factors such as the
location of the transplant and types of a transplant; you are getting. The
accurate cost will be calculated after some appropriate tests by your doctor.
But one thing is confirmed that the bone
marrow transplant cost in India lesser than in other countries. The bone marrow transplant cost in India can
vary from hospital to hospital, thus you do your online research and take
quotations from 3-4 hospitals and then proceed.
