Overview

Five decades ago, the idea of using bone marrow transplantation to treat people with genetic disorders like leukemia, blood disorders, and weakened immune systems had seen a lot of challenges. In those days, doctors and researchers had faced a lot of disappointments. But in recent times, bone marrow transplantation is considered a boon for critically ill patients. Bone marrow transplants (BMTs) are on the rise in India, with roughly 2,500 transplants conducted each year, up from less than 500 five years ago. In this blog, we are going to discuss all the things you need to know before getting one, how accessible are bone marrow transplants in India, and many more.

Understanding the Bone Marrow Transplant

The damaged and diseased marrow cells are replaced with healthy blood-forming cells during bone marrow transplantation. If your bone marrow isn't producing enough blood-forming cells, your doctor may recommend a bone marrow transplant to improve your overall health. When a person has leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other blood illnesses that damage the bone marrow, bone marrow transplantation is considered a treatment option. But which type of bone marrow transplant will be best for you, how to find a donor for BMT, let's hear it out from our experts in Jupiter Hospital, one of the best hospitals in India.

Types of Bone marrow transplant

Bone marrow transplants can be done in a variety of ways. The following are the two most frequently accepted options:

• Autologous treatment- this entails collecting stem cells from the patient's own body before beginning cancer treatment. Cancer is treated with a combination of high-dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The healthy blood-forming stem cells may be harmed as a result of this. But the number of stem cells needs to be increased for performing this one.
• Allogenic transplant-The stem cells are taken from the donor's bone marrow in an allogenic transplant. Someone from your family line or even an unknown person who is not related to you can be a donor. The donor will be chosen based on a set of criteria. Medical personnel will run some compatibility tests to know whether it's a tissue match or not. Your doctor will recommend this only when you get a match.

How to find a donor for bone marrow transplant?

You need a donor for BMT, only if you need an allogenic transplant as mentioned earlier. The healthy stem cells of a donor will replace your disease stem cells. Here are a few myths that need to be resolved related to the donation of stem cells.

• Is donating bone marrow cells or stem cells a painful procedure?

The answer is NO. While television productions and movies have portrayed blood stem cell donation—particularly bone marrow donation—as a terrifying experience, the truth is far less dramatic.

The level of discomfort experienced during rehabilitation varies from person to person. Back pain, weariness, headaches, and bruises may occur for a few days or weeks.

• Is donation of stem cells take a long time?

These days online registration has made things easier and hassle-free. If you're called to give, the process usually takes 20-30 hours spaced out over four to six weeks. Phone calls, appointments, donation procedures everything are included within the stipulated time.

Why bone marrow transplantation is done?

This can be used to treat a variety of cancerous and benign (non-cancerous) disorders, including:

• Acute or chronic leukemia- also known as blood cancer.
• Bone marrow failure syndromes-Aplastic Anemia, also known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome, is a condition in which the bone marrow is incapable of producing blood cells.
• Hodgkin's lymphoma and non- Hodgkin's lymphoma- cancer that affects lymphocytes i.e a type of white blood cells. It plays an important role in the immune system.
• Multiple myeloma- the type of cancer related to white blood cells.
• Myelofibrosis- The bone marrow is replaced by fibrous scar tissue in this rare type of blood cancer. Patients with this medical issue may want to seek a bone marrow transplant as a therapy option.
• Plasma cell disorders

Post-transplant care

Your doctor will prescribe drugs to prevent bone marrow rejection after a successful bone marrow transplant. The patients are administered immunosuppressants. To avoid infection, you must continue to take these medications. Your immune system will need time to recuperate during this time. Take your medications as directed and practice healthy eating following your transplant.

• Limit your salt consumption.
• Reduce your carbohydrate intake.
• Take a look at some fresh fruits and green vegetables.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
• Avoid grape juices since they have an inhibitory effect on immunosuppressants.
• To avoid foodborne diseases, follow the food safety protocol.
• Regular physical activity helps you to build a strong immune system.

Conclusion- If you are suffering from any critical illness that requires a BMT, do not delay because of the cost of a bone marrow transplant in Pune. As you can get affordable bone marrow transplant costs in Jupiter Hospital, Mumbai, one of the best hospitals in India.