
A bone marrow transplant, also known as stem cell transplant, is a complicated procedure of replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy ones. When your bone marrow becomes incapable of producing sufficient healthy blood cells, it is replaced in the transplantation procedure.
Furthermore, healthy blood-forming stem cells are infused into your body so that it can retain its normal functionalities. A bone marrow transplant cost in India is usually cost-effective, and the patients will not burn holes in their pockets.
A bone marrow transplant can deliberately save the lives of people who’ve been diagnosed with leukaemia or lymphoma. In fact, it also has the potential to provide aid when intensive cancer treatment damages otherwise healthy blood cells. Please note that this transplant involves an intensive procedure; thus, it requires a longer time to recover.
This article will give you a quick overview of both the advantages and risks associated with bone marrow transplants. Before that, you will become familiar with the reasons for conducting the same. Please stay tuned until the end to learn more about it.
Let’s begin.
Reasons for a Bone Marrow Transplant
Your healthcare provider might recommend you a bone marrow transplant for the following reasons:
● To remove and replace the already existing bone marrow, which is not responding properly to the new stem cells.
● To infuse new stem cells to directly kill the cancer cells.
● To enable safe treatment with high doses of radiation or chemotherapy by replacing the marrow damaged during treatment.
Benefits of Bone Marrow Transplants
Bone marrow transplants have the potential to benefit people with both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Some diseases which bone marrow transplants can cure are:
● Adrenoleukodystrophy
● Acute Leukaemia
● Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
● Aplastic Anaemia
● Hemoglobinopathies
● Chronic Leukaemia
● Immune Deficiencies
● Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
● Multiple Myeloma
● Inborn Errors of Metabolism
● Neuroblastoma
● Myelodysplastic Syndromes
● Plasma Cell Disorders
● Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
● Primary Amyloidosis
● POEMS Syndrome, etc.
Risks of Bone Marrow Transplants
Even though bone marrow transplants are immensely beneficial, they can pose several risks. While some patients experience minimal issues, others might experience serious complications with a bone marrow transplant.
Things might become severe enough to require hospitalisation or immediate medical attention. In a nutshell, bone marrow transplants might induce certain potentially life-threatening complications.
Please note that the risks associated with bone marrow transplants depend on a plethora of factors. It also includes the condition that pushed you to acquire a transplant, your age, overall health, and the type.
After a patient undergoes a bone marrow transplant, they’re very likely to experience the following:
● A significant and sudden drop in the blood pressure
● A persisting headache
● Nausea and vomiting
● A weird aching in the whole body
● Sudden shortness of breath
● Sudden chills
● Fluctuation in body temperature
While these symptoms are typically short-lived, there are much greater complications associated with bone marrow transplants. These are very likely to be visible to critical patients and can be mild or deadly serious.
Some of the extreme complications induced by bone marrow transplants are:
● Graft-versus-Host Disease or GVHD
● Graft Failure
● Bleeding from unusual places like the lungs, brain, or any other internal organs
● Sudden Cataracts
● Damaging the most vital organs
● Anaemia
● Internal infections
● Early menopause
● Mucositis
● Diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting
● Infertility
● Death
You can talk to your healthcare provider if you have any queries regarding these complications. They will give you a detailed explanation of the risks. After understanding the entire process and analysing the pros and cons, you can make a decision if you want to go with the transplant or not.
Also Read: Understanding the Expenses: Exploring the Real Cost of Kidney Transplants
What to Expect from a Bone Marrow Transplant?
A bone marrow transplant has the potential to cure some diseases while putting others into remission. However, the goals of a bone marrow transplant entirely depend on your condition. Above all, it aims to cure and control your disease, improve your life’s quality, and also extend your lifespan.
While some people might experience few side effects, others might experience long-term complications. Nevertheless, it is quite difficult to predict the severity of side effects and the transplant’s success.
Ultimately, all the patients of BLK Max Hospitals have experienced successful transplants. In fact, they have also resumed their regular lifestyle and are living a good quality life.
Conclude
The bone marrow transplant cost in India is a life-saviour medical treatment. By taking a few safety measures into account, it can be very helpful.
The average cost of this treatment in India ranges between 15 and 25 lakh. You can always contact specialised health centres like BLK Max Hospital for reliable and cost-effective treatment. Their routine check-up post-transplant will also keep you away from severe complications.
If you or someone from your family needs stem cell transplant, consider the above discussed points and make the right choice for you.