Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure Options
Bone marrow transplant procedures through WorldMed assist are high quality, affordable and convenient. You receive the benefit of our expertise and the compassion of our registered nurses as you receive care in the US or outside the US. We are affiliated with hospitals that are approved by JCAHO or the Joint Commission International (JCI) and associated with respected US medical institutions, including Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical. Our case managers are registered nurses who consult with you to make certain all your concerns and questions are taken care of to your satisfaction.
Anadolu Medical Center in Turkey
Most importantly, we provide you with a personal touch from start until well after your return home.
Options for quality bone marrow transplant include:
- Bone Marrow Transplant in the U.S.
- Bone marrow transplant in India
- Bone marrow transplant in Turkey
- Bone marrow transplant in Mexico
We also provide information on costs:
What is bone marrow transplant (also called “BMT” or “bone marrow surgery”)?
Bone marrow is a soft, fatty tissue inside your breast, skull, hip, rib and spine bones and contains stem cells.
Stem cells produce red and white blood cells and platelets, which enable your blood to clot.
A bone marrow transplant procedure becomes necessary as the only treatment option for some patients with forms of leukemia, severe anemia from destruction of bone marrow or malfunction and various immune deficiency diseases.
The following table shows the estimated U.S. average billed charges per transplant in 2008, as revealed in the Milliman Research Report of April, 2008:
| Transplant | Allogeneic | Autologous |
| 30 Days Pre-Transplant | $30,400 | $31,300 |
| Procurement | $29,400 | $21,200 |
| Hospital Transplant Admission | $380,700 | $169,900 |
| Physician during Transplant | $19,600 | $10,600 |
| 180 Days Post-Transplant Admission | $197,100 | $62,100 |
| OP Immuno-Suppressants and other Medications | $19,600 | $5,300 |
| TOTALS | $676,800 | $300,400 |
The cost of bone marrow transplant may be impossible for some patients to manage, especially for those without insurance coverage.
Yet the cost of a bone marrow transplant through WorldMed Assist is substantially less than other routes, and this life-saving procedure can be within financial reach.
Bone marrow transplant procedure
A bone marrow transplant is not a surgical procedure; rather, it is much like receiving a blood transfusion.
Your diseased or malfunctioning bone marrow is destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation prior to receiving healthy stem cells through an infusion by a catheter.
The infusion will take several hours.
The goal of a bone marrow transplant procedure is for the new stem cells to travel to your bone cavities, form new bone marrow and produce normal blood cells.
There are three different sources of bone narrow for transplants:
- Autologous:
Stem cells are withdrawn from you before chemotherapy and radiation.
After your bone marrow has been destroyed, your stem cells are returned.
You are, in essence, your own donor. - Allogeneic:
Stem cells are supplied by a donor.
Blood tests are conducted to ascertain the donor is a good genetic match with your bone narrow to prevent your body from rejecting the donor’s stem cells. - Umbilical:
Stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord of a baby at birth and various tests performed before they are frozen until needed.
Bone marrow transplants carry risks, as do all medical procedures.
The level of risk is dependent on your medical condition, age, health, pre-bone marrow transplant treatments and type of bone marrow transplant you have.
It is strongly recommended you speak with your medical specialists to ensure you fully understand the risks involved.
You can expect your hospitalization period to be up to eight weeks.
Bone marrow preparation
You will undergo a series of tests to determine if you are healthy enough to receive a transplant.
Your major organs will examined for any impairment.
These tests are done on an outpatient basis.
A bone marrow transplant is an enormous physical and psychological strain.
Preparation is very important for a bone marrow transplant recipient.
Several days before your transplant, a catheter will be placed into a large vein just above your heart for administration of medications and blood test samples.
You will be given strong dosages of chemotherapy or radiation, or both, to destroy your bone marrow.
One or two days after you have finished the chemotherapy regime, you will receive your bone marrow transplant.
Bone marrow recovery
You will be easily disposed to infection and bleeding as you wait for your new stem cells to begin producing normal blood cells.
There will be strict protocol for medical staff and visitors to prevent infections and restrictions on what items are permitted in your room.
You will likely receive large amount of antibiotics and blood transfusions during the first 2 to 4 weeks after the transplant.
Once blood tests show that your bone marrow is generating normal blood cells, you will be weaned off the antibiotics and no longer require blood transfusions.
Your recovery period will be extended.
After discharge from the hospital, another 2 to 4 months are expected until a full recovery.
During this time, you will need to be monitored closely and your activities will be limited to avoid infection.
Although a bone marrow transplant procedure is an arduous experience, many patients have an enhanced quality of life afterwards.
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