Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is considered as one of the life-saving procedures used to treat a variety of blood-related diseases and cancers. With cutting-edge medical infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals, and highly experienced hematologists, India has emerged as a top destination for bone marrow transplant treatment for international patients. The significantly lower cost, combined with world-class care, makes India an ideal choice for patients from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Western countries.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bone marrow transplant, types, conditions treated, the procedure, cost, success rate, and why India is the preferred destination for international patients.

A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure that replaces destroyed or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells. These stem cells can come from the patient (autologous transplant) or a donor (allogeneic transplant).

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue inside the bones that produces blood cells — red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. When the marrow is affected by disease, infections, or chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant helps restore its normal function.

1. Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant
• Uses the patient’s own stem cells.
• Commonly used for multiple myeloma and lymphomas.
• Ideal when the patient’s bone marrow is healthy but needs support after chemotherapy.

2. Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant
• Uses stem cells from a donor, donor can be either a family member (matched related) or unrelated donor (matched unrelated).
• Used to treat conditions like leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, sickle cell disease, and certain genetic disorders.

3. Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant
• Involves stem cells from umbilical cord blood, usually stored in a cord blood bank.
• Beneficial for pediatric patients and those without a matched donor.

Bone marrow transplant is preferred choice of treatment for a wide range of diseases, including:

• Leukaemia (AML, ALL, CML)
• Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
• Multiple Myeloma
• Aplastic Anaemia
• Sickle Cell Anaemia
• Thalassemia Major
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Genetic Metabolic Disorders
• Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

1. Pre-transplant Evaluation: Patients undergo thorough diagnostic tests, including blood tests, imaging, HLA typing (for donor matching), and organ function assessment.

2. Conditioning Regimen: This involves high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy diseased marrow and prepare the body for transplant.

3. Stem Cell Infusion: The collected stem cells are infused intravenously. These cells travel to the bone marrow and start producing healthy blood cells.

4. Recovery and Monitoring: Patients are kept in a sterile environment to avoid infections. Full recovery may take weeks to months, depending on the type of transplant.

✅ Cost-Effective Treatment: Bone marrow transplant cost in India is up to 60% lower than in western countries like the US, UK without compromising on the quality.

Type of BMT	Cost in India (USD)	Cost in the USA (USD)
Autologous BMT	$18,000 - $25,000	$150,000 - $200,000
Allogeneic BMT	$28,000 - $40,000	$250,000 - $400,000

✅ World-Class Hospitals: India is home to JCI and NABH-accredited hospitals with advanced bone marrow transplant units equipped with HEPA filters, isolation rooms, and 24/7 monitoring.

Top hospitals offering BMT in India:

• Apollo Hospitals
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute
• BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital
• Tata Memorial Hospital
• Manipal Hospitals
• Artemis Hospital
• Yatharth Hospital

✅ Experienced Haematologists & Transplant Surgeons: Bone marrow transplant specialists in India are internationally trained with years of experience and high success rates.

✅ No Waiting Time: Unlike Western countries, India offers quick appointment scheduling and minimal waiting time, which is crucial for life-threatening conditions like leukaemia.

✅ Medical Visa & International Patient Support: India offers medical visas on fast track, multilingual staff, visa assistance, airport pickup, accommodation help, and dedicated international patient coordinators.

India’s bone marrow transplant success rate is comparable to top medical destinations globally. The success depends on several factors:

• Disease type and stage
• Patient’s age and overall health
• Type of transplant (autologous or allogeneic)
• HLA matching quality

Average Success Rates:
• Autologous BMT: 85%–95%
• Allogeneic BMT: 60%–80%
• Paediatric BMT: 70%–90%

1. Initial Consultation: Contact a medical tourism facilitator or hospital with your medical reports for assessment and treatment planning.

2. Medical Visa: Apply for a medical visa to India (M Visa), usually processed within a few days.

3. Travel & Accommodation: Hospitals offer packages including airport pickup, hotel stays, and local support.

4. Pre-Admission Workup: Arrive in India 3–5 days before the transplant for initial investigations and donor coordination if required.

🔹 Is bone marrow transplant safe in India?
Yes. Indian hospitals follow international standards and protocols, ensuring safety, hygiene, and infection control.

🔹 How long do I need to stay in India?
Usually, 6–8 weeks including pre-transplant evaluation, transplant, and recovery. For allogeneic BMT, this could extend to 10–12 weeks.

🔹 Can international patients bring donors?
Yes, HLA-matched family donors can accompany the patient. HLA testing and counselling are available on arrival.

🔹 Are English-speaking doctors available?
Yes. Most specialists in India are fluent in English and trained internationally.

Choosing India for bone marrow transplant offers a winning combination of affordability, high-quality healthcare, expert specialists, and patient-friendly services. Whether you’re dealing with leukaemia, thalassemia, or aplastic anaemia, India provides comprehensive care with excellent outcomes for both adults and children.

For international patients seeking timely and cost-effective bone marrow transplant abroad, India stands out as a trusted and advanced healthcare destination.