A bone marrow transplant may be a life-saving treatment option for patients with severe blood diseases, cancer or inherited disorders like sickle cell disease in Nigeria.
A bone marrow transplant may be a life-saving treatment option for patients with severe blood diseases, cancer or inherited disorders like sickle cell disease in Nigeria. There are numerous families that are interested in learning more about what is involved with bone marrow transplant, who should receive it, how it is performed and what the process of recovery will be like. The experienced hematologists, specialized transplant centers, modern hospitals and comparatively low treatment costs in India are making the country a significant choice for international patients to receive advanced bone marrow transplant treatment at a significantly reduced cost. Here you will get a complete guide about bone marrow transplantation, who is eligible for it, its risks, recovery and the cost of bone marrow transplant in India.
Bone marrow (or haematopoietic stem cell) transplantation (BMT) is a medical procedure in which the bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow.
Bone marrow is the soft tissue found within some bones which makes blood cells including:
Damage to the bone marrow from cancer, genetic disorders, chemotherapy or other illnesses can cause it to cease to make healthy blood cells. Transplants contain healthy stem cells that can regenerate the blood and immune system. In some cases, where other treatments or medications are not effective, bone marrow transplant treatment may be suggested for patients from Nigeria.
Bone marrow transplants can be used to treat a variety of serious blood, bone marrow and immune system disorders.
BMT is used to treat a wide variety of conditions such as:
Not all people with these diseases need transplantation. This depends on the severity of the disease, age, general health, prior history, availability of donors and recommendations of the specialist haematologist or transplant team.
There are two different kinds of bone marrow transplants.
Before a donor can donate his or her stem cells, he or she will be medically tested to see if the stem cells will fit the recipient. The most crucial factor is matching of human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Complications like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are less likely to occur when there's a close HLA match.
Some potential donors can be:
The transplant team does blood tests and matches the donor's DNA before deciding on a donor.
There are various stages in the transplant process to be aware of.
The patient is carefully assessed prior to transplantation. This may include:
The doctor determines the patient's medical readiness for transplant.
The patient receives a conditioning therapy prior to receiving the new stem cells. Typically, chemotherapy and occasionally radiation treatment are administered.
The aim of conditioning is to:
The level of conditioning will depend on the type of disease and type of transplant.
Once transplanted, the patient's medical team monitors him closely as the new stem cells settle into the bone marrow. This is known as engraftment. Patients are sometimes at risk of low blood counts and infection during this time.
Doctors monitor:
Treatment duration will depend on the disease process and type of transplant. Most of the time, patients will be in the hospital for the transplant and early recovery phase for a few weeks. Further recovery post-discharge.
The overall medical travel plan could take several months for those who are travelling from Nigeria to India:
Each hospital will have a different timeline based on the individual's medical reports.
Bone marrow transplant recovery is a slow process. It takes time for the immune system and blood-making to return to normal.
Patients in the recovery stage may suffer from:
Strict medical directions on medications, cleanliness, diet and follow-up appointments are to be taken. The post-transplant period may involve follow-up monitoring in India, depending on the recommendation of the transplant team for international patients from Nigeria.
A major worry of Nigerian families is the cost of the bone marrow transplant.
The bone marrow transplant cost in India is subject to a number of factors. For international patients, the estimated cost of the procedure could range from USD 10,000 to USD 45,000 or higher and may depend on the type of transplant and the medical needs. The actual price, however, will depend on the medical reports of the patient.
A number of factors affect the overall treatment costs:
For Nigerian patients, it is crucial to seek an in-depth treatment rate in India before making the journey.
There are specialized hospitals in India having dedicated departments of hematology and bone marrow transplantation. These facilities provide specialized services for blood diseases (cancer), sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and other diseases for patients from Nigeria and other countries in Africa who need treatment at such centres.
Benefits of selecting India could be:
Patients should choose a hospital according to the medical expertise, transplant experiences, accreditation, infrastructure and personalized treatment plan.
GetWellGo aids Nigerian patients who need bone marrow transplant treatment to be matched with qualified physicians and best hospitals in India. The platform caters to international patients during their entire healthcare experience from appointment to recovery.
GetWellGo can help you with:
Before patients and families leave Nigeria for treatment in India, the team educates them on their available treatment options and supports them in making informed decisions.
Nigerian patients seeking advanced therapies for blood disorders and cancers may find it helpful to learn a bit more about what bone marrow transplant entails. In certain diseases, bone marrow transplantation can be used to restore healthy blood-cell production and in some cases, can be a potentially curative treatment for diseases like sickle cell disease and leukemia. India boasts of great transplant specialists, state of the art hospitals and a full range of international patient care services. The cost of bone marrow transplantation is a variable that depends on the specific treatment for each patient but if family members need to make decisions about treatment, it is important to consult early with the patient's doctor and to plan treatment properly. GetWellGo helps the patients from Nigeria to get connected with trusted doctors and hospitals in India and helps them with their treatment process from consultation to visa assistance to post treatment.
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