Top Success Rate for Bone Marrow Transplants in India

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) 

A Bone Marrow Transplant is a non surgical procedure in which damaged or diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow stem cells. This complex procedure is performed at many of India's leading hospitals. The success rate for bone marrow transplants in India is on par with international benchmarks.

A bone marrow transplant is usually offered as a solution for certain kinds of cancers as well as some diseases which affect the production of blood cells. Hospitals which perform bone marrow transplants in India have the requisite infrastructure as well as highly experienced haematologists and haemaeto-oncologists to perform the procedure successfully. 

BMT is generally performed in the following cases

• Certain cancers, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
• In case of illnesses such as sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, Thalessemia, Congenital Neutropenia etc.
• In case of destruction of the cells due to Chemotherapy or Radiation.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplants

1. Autologus BMT- Patient's own cells are taken and put back again in order to protect the cells from being destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation.
2. Allogenic BMT- The cells of the patient are replaced with the cells of other person called Donor after doing blood matching.
3. Umbilical Cord BMT- In this case the stem cells from umbilical cord is used for the transplantation. These cells are preserved from the time of birth of the patient.

 BMT Procedure 

The first step in BMT is the harvesting of bone marrow from the donor. The procedure of harvesting involves the extraction of sufficient amount of bone marrow cells from the donor by making few punctures using a special needle or syringe. Harvesting is done under general anaesthesia and discomfort is usually minimal afterwards. Bone marrow is drawn from the iliac crest (the part of the hip bone to either side of the lower back) .The donor remains at the hospital for 24-48 hours and can resume normal activities within a few days.

 If the bone marrow is meant for an autologous transplant then it is stored at very low temperature and it is used when required. The bone marrow is administered to the recipient via a catheter (a narrow, flexible tube) inserted into a large vein in the chest. From the bloodstream, it migrates to the cavities within the bones where bone marrow is normally stored. If the transplant is successful, the bone marrow begins to produce normal blood cells once it is in place, or engrafted.

Associated Risks 
There are risks associated with Bone Marrow Transplant and the level of risk involved depends on various factors such as age, donor matching, type of transplant, treatment, general health, disease etc. Before considering BMT procedure for a patient , tor doctors thoroughly analyze these risk factors.

 Moreover they help the patient to face the rigour of the Transplant procedure. The patient may have to face complications such as bleeding , anemia, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, cataract graft failure etc.