01 · OVERVIEW
What Is a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)?
A Bone Marrow Transplant (also known as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant) is a life-saving medical procedure that replaces diseased, non-functioning, or cancerous bone marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones responsible for manufacturing essential blood elements: red blood cells (oxygen transport), white blood cells (infection defense), and platelets (clotting).
When severe conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma damage bone marrow function, high-dose conditioning therapy followed by a stem cell transplant rescues the haematopoietic system, restoring normal blood cell production and enabling long-term cure or lasting disease remission.
02 · MODALITIES
Types of Stem Cell Transplants
The choice of transplant depends on your exact diagnosis, disease stage, age, and available donor matches:
Autologous Transplant (Self-Donor)
The patient’s own healthy stem cells are harvested, frozen, and reinfused after intensive conditioning chemotherapy. Standard curative modality for Multiple Myeloma and relapsed Lymphoma.
Allogeneic Matched Sibling Transplant
Stem cells are sourced from a genetically matched brother or sister (full HLA match). Provides a powerful "graft-versus-leukaemia" effect against aggressive blood cancers.
Haploidentical (Half-Match) Transplant
An advanced technique utilizing half-matched family donors (parents, children, siblings) when a full match is unavailable, enabled by modern post-transplant immunosuppression protocols.
Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD)
Stem cells obtained from voluntary donor registries (such as DATRI or DKMS) when no suitable family donor is identified through HLA typing.
03 · INDICATIONS
Conditions Treated with Bone Marrow Transplant
Dr. Rishabh Jain evaluates patients with hematologic malignancies and bone marrow failure syndromes to determine transplant candidacy:
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Multiple Myeloma: Upfront autologous stem cell transplant as standard consolidation to deepen remission and prolong survival.
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Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) & ALL: High-risk or relapsed acute leukemias requiring allogeneic transplant for curative intent.
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Hodgkin & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Relapsed or refractory lymphoma following primary chemotherapy protocols.
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Severe Aplastic Anemia & MDS: Primary bone marrow failure where stem cell replacement restores vital blood formation.
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Thalassemia Major & Sickle Cell Disease: Curative allogeneic stem cell replacement in pediatric and young adult patients.
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Relapsed Germ Cell Tumours: High-dose salvage chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell rescue.
Timely Evaluation: Optimal transplant outcomes depend on achieving adequate disease remission prior to the transplant procedure. Early referral ensures all options remain open.
04 · PREPARATION
Pre-Transplant Evaluation & Workup
Rigorous pre-transplant assessment ensures safety, optimal conditioning, and precise donor matching before entering the transplant unit:
High-Resolution HLA Typing
Molecular typing matching HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, and DQB1 loci between recipient and prospective donors.
Bone Marrow Biopsy & MRD
Flow cytometry and cytogenetic testing to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) status before conditioning.
Cardiac & Lung Clearance
Echocardiogram (ECHO) with ejection fraction and Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT with DLCO) for organ fitness.
Infectious Serology Screen
Comprehensive viral screening (CMV, EBV, HIV, Hepatitis B/C, HSV) to design tailored prophylactic regimens.
PET-CT / Contrast CT Staging
Whole-body metabolic imaging confirming remission status and absence of active infection sites.
Dental & ENT Clearance
Proactive dental and sinus sanitization to eliminate potential occult sources of neutropenic infection.
05 · TRANSPLANT PHASES
Transplant Phases, Complications & Care Protocols
A Bone Marrow Transplant progresses through distinct clinical phases. Patient care takes place in positive-pressure HEPA-filtered rooms with round-the-clock monitoring by Dr. Rishabh Jain's oncology team.
| Transplant Phase |
Clinical Goal & Management |
| 1. Conditioning (Days -7 to -1) |
High-dose chemotherapy/immunotherapy eradicates diseased cells. Nausea and oral mucositis managed with targeted antiemetics and mucosal cryotherapy. |
| 2. Stem Cell Infusion (Day 0) |
Harvested stem cells are infused intravenously via central venous catheter (PICC/Hickman line) like a blood transfusion under vital monitoring. |
| 3. Aplasia & Neutropenia (Days +1 to +14) |
Temporary low blood counts. Protected in HEPA rooms with prophylactic antimicrobials, G-CSF growth factors, and irradiated platelet/blood transfusions. |
| 4. Engraftment (Days +14 to +28) |
Stem cells settle into bone marrow and begin generating new neutrophils and platelets. Monitored with daily CBC checks until stable recovery. |
| 5. GVHD Prevention (Allogeneic) |
Immunosuppressive medications (Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, or Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide) prevent donor cells from attacking healthy host tissues. |
| 6. Post-Discharge Surveillance |
Weekly outpatient monitoring, dietary hygiene counselling, gradual immunosuppressive tapering, and revaccination scheduling. |
Contact Dr. Rishabh Jain's clinical team immediately if a transplant patient experiences any of the following:
• Fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) or severe chills/rigors
• Sudden breathlessness, rapid breathing, or chest tightness
• Uncontrolled watery diarrhoea or severe abdominal cramping
• New skin rashes, yellowing of eyes (jaundice), or dark urine
• Unexplained bruising, petechiae, nosebleeds, or blood in stool
• Redness, swelling, or discharge around PICC / central line site
06 · FINANCIAL CLARITY
Bone Marrow Transplant Cost in Jaipur
Jaipur offers world-class Bone Marrow Transplant infrastructure at a fraction of the cost in major metropolitan cities. Total financial planning depends on the transplant type and clinical variables:
Transplant Category
Autologous transplants are shorter and more economical than complex allogeneic or haploidentical procedures.
HEPA Room Stay
Includes dedicated sterile isolation unit stay during the 2 to 4-week engraftment window.
Stem Cell Apheresis
Cell mobilization, apheresis machine harvesting, cryopreservation, and CD34+ cell counting.
Supportive Transfusions
Leukodepleted, irradiated packed red blood cells and single donor platelets (SDP) support.
Antimicrobial Coverage
High-grade prophylactic antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic infusions throughout recovery.
Insurance & Cashless Support
Complete assistance with mediclaim approvals, TPA cashless claims, and government scheme pre-authorizations.
Transparent Guidance: Dr. Rishabh Jain provides a comprehensive, transparent pre-transplant cost estimate to help families plan without unexpected financial burdens.
