Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is an incredibly advanced procedure that can save lives. It’s not often thought of, however, when people think of medical procedures in India. Despite this, bone marrow transplantation has become increasingly prevalent in the country over the past few years. We will look at some facts about BMT in India and how it is changing lives for many people across the country. From its history to current trends and technologies, learn more about bone marrow transplantation in India.
What is bone marrow transplantation?
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a medical procedure used to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. This can be done through a transfusion of bone marrow cells, or by transplanting the entire bone marrow. BMT is used to treat a number of conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia.
BMTS in India is done using two methods- allogeneic and autologous transplants. In an allogeneic transplant, the donor’s cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream, where they begin to produce new blood cells. In an autologous transplant, the patient’s own cells are harvested and then reinfused into their body.
Why is it necessary?
A bone marrow transplant is a lifesaving procedure that has been used for over 60 years to treat patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood diseases. In India, the number of patients requiring a bone marrow transplant has been increasing steadily over the past decade.
There are several reasons why a bone marrow transplant may be necessary. One reason is that the patient’s own bone marrow is not producing enough healthy blood cells. This can happen due to cancer or other diseases that damage the bone marrow. Another reason is that the patient’s immune system is not functioning properly and needs to be rebuilt with healthy cells from a donor.
Bone marrow transplants are complex procedures that require careful planning and coordination between the patient’s care team, the transplant center, and the donor. The success of the transplant depends on many factors, including the health of the patient and the match between the donor and recipient.
Despite the challenges, bone marrow transplants offer hope to patients who otherwise would not have any treatment options. With continued advancements in medical technology, more patients than ever before are able to receive this life-saving procedure.
Who can be a donor?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 55 who meets the health criteria can be a donor. The first step is to join the registry of potential donors. When a patient needs a transplant, the registry is searched for matching donors. If you are found to be a match, you will be asked to undergo further testing to confirm compatibility. Once confirmed, you will proceed with donation.
How is the procedure done?
The first step in a bone marrow transplant is to remove some of the patient’s healthy blood-forming cells. This is done through a process called “harvesting.” The harvested cells are then frozen and stored until they are needed for the transplant.
To prepare for the transplant, the patient will undergo “conditioning.” This usually involves receiving high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The conditioning destroys the patient’s diseased blood-forming cells, as well as any cancer cells that may be present. This makes room in the bone marrow for the transplanted cells to take hold and begin producing new, healthy blood cells.
Once the patient has been conditioned, the transplanted cells are thawed and injected into a vein. The cells travel to the bone marrow, where they begin to produce new blood cells.
It usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the transplanted cells to start producing new blood cells. During this time, the patient will be closely monitored by doctors and nurses to ensure that everything is progressing as it should be. Once the transplant is successful, the patient will continue to be monitored for any signs of rejection or complications.
Success rates in India
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a lifesaving treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease and several other life-threatening blood disorders. In India, the success rates for BMT are quite high, with many patients achieving complete remission of their disease.
In addition to the expert medical care, another factor that contributes to the high success rates of BMT in India is the use of donor cells from family members. In most cases, a patient’s brother or sister will be a perfect match for donor cells, which greatly increases the chances of successful engraftment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a blood disorder that could be treated with BMT, don’t hesitate to seek treatment in India.
