Stem Cell Transplant-Types, Success Rate, Survival Rate and Best Hospitals in India

Stem Cell Transplant in India
Stem Cell Transplant in India

Stem cell transplant (SCT) is a cure available for several diseases and all of these treatments are done at economical prices in India. But survival and success rate of stem cell transplant (SCT) procedure has its dependency on several factors like the stage of the disease, type of disease, an age of the patient, and health condition of the patient etc.

Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) in India:

Stem cell transplant (SCT) turns out to be a life-saving procedure for several malignant and non-malignant diseases. The number of stem cell transplants (SCT) being done is more than 40,000 across the world. India is slowly contributing toward this huge number of stem cell transplants (SCT) done every year. Over the past few years, India has become equipped with facilities in its hospitals to be able to handle all sort of complicated cases requiring a stem cell transplant (SCT). Learn More About Stem Cell Transplant.

What are the types of Stem Cell Transplant (SCT)?

There are several types of stem cell transplant (SCT) available which are used to treat different malignant and non-malignant diseases. Every disease cannot be treated with one particular type of stem cell transplant (SCT) and neither can evert SCT be applicable in every case. Every patient has a certain different set of requirements. But amongst all types of SCT allogeneic transplant is the most common form of SCT which is even used to treat several forms of leukemia-like AM and several other disorders.

Following are the main types of stem cell transplant (SCT) available to cure diseases:

•   Auto or Autologous stem cell transplant (SCT)

This type of transplant uses the stem cells of the patient to carry out the transplant successfully. In this case, some of the healthy stem cells of the patient are extracted and preserved to be used during transplant. After that chemotherapy or radiation therapy is initiated to kill and destroy the malignant stem cells of the body. This method is applied to treat several conditions like multiple myeloma, and even in relapse of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

The main advantage of this transplant method is lower chances of graft rejection or complete rejection, graft-versus-host disease, engraftment also occurs quickly and overall side effects and complications are even less.

But this stem cell transplant (SCT) method has a limitation that at times, some of the cancer cells might remain, even after the complete procedure. Since the cancer killing effect appears only during chemotherapy or radiation. In rare cases, some of the cancer cells are missed during chemo.

•   Allo or Allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT)

In this type of transplant, a mandatory requirement is a donor from whom stem cells can be obtained. But a donor needs to have a matching HLA with the patient otherwise the person is not fit for being a donor. A donor can be a relative or non-relative but a matching one. This method is used for several diseases like many aggressive lymphomas, leukemias, and even in failed cases of autologous transplants.

Its advantage is that the new stem cells which are transplanted are completely healthy and cancer-free. This also reboots the immune system once again and even the cancer killing effect continues after the stem cell transplant (SCT).

But the main disadvantage allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) holds is a rejection or denial of the transplanted stem cells, slow engraftment, and more complications like GVHD etc.

What is the Success rate of Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) in India?

SCT in India has sufficiently good success rates and this is another reason besides the economic price for medical tourism. Indian hospitals are equipped in terms of equipment as well as experienced internationally well-trained doctors and other staff members to deal with conditions seeking SCT as a treatment option. Several types of research are being done to evaluate and maintain data on the success rate of the different set of cases of SCTs done every year in India. Since every case requiring SCTs is not the same and dozens of them involves complications which also require some additional treatments as well. But most of the cases are a complete success with rare a percentage of nearly less than 30 percent touching a failure or requiring a re-transplant.

 

What is the Survival rate of patients have undergone Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) in India?

Stem cell transplant (SCT) improves the chances of survival of a patient rather than without it. Since SCT is the commonly opted method to treat and cure such complicated diseases or cancers which cannot be done with drugs, chemotherapies, and radiations. Several studies reveal that a person can sustain for more than 3 years and even more if no remissions appear. Especially in young patients, SCT can be entirely life-saving and the patient can lead a sufficiently healthy life for long after the procedure.

 

Which is the best hospital for Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) in India?

Every hospital in India is fully equipped and has the potential deal with every sort of SCT cases.  Every case has some specific requirements and you must always look for the hospital as per that. Every hospital in India has the best of oncologists, hematologists, and other doctors. But in order to find your best the hospital, you may let us know your requirements via a live chat available on the blog portal.

 

Related FAQs:

1) Q: Is Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) really cure cancer? 

A: Stem cell transplant (SCT) is capable of treating several variable diseases like aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, myeloma, lymphomas, leukemias- AML, ALL, CML, neuroblastoma etc. But in most of the cases stem cell transplant (SCT) is taken into consideration when all other lines of treatment like chemo, radiation, immune targeting, drugs etc failed to achieve a firm improvement and cure of the condition. So SCT can be considered as an option to cure such diseases of the root. But still, every case might be different depending upon the facts and certain risks and involved complications which must be discussed with the doctor prior to starting with the treatment. Learn More about the diseases can be cured with a Stem Cell Transplant.

 

2) Q: How long a cancer patient live after Stem Cell Transplant (SCT)?

A:  Any cancer patient treated with stem cell transplant (SCT) can sufficiently survive for 3 to 5 years or longer if no remissions appear.

 

3) Q: Is it safe to donate Stem Cell?

A: Yes, it is completely safe to volunteer and be a donor for the stem cell transplantation. Instead, it can help another person to survive through the tough time and live longer. Moreover, stem cell donation is done under the anesthesia effect or even cells can be obtained from the peripheral blood after a filtration process without even requiring any anesthesia or recovery period for a donor. A donor can be any related or family member, an unrelated person, a related haploidentical person from the family.

Stem Cell Transplant cost in India

Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) cost in India
Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) cost in India

Every country has its own mechanism of taxing and accounting other charges for any particular procedure. Hence, the stem cell transplant cost varies remarkably. Measures are being taken by several governmental institutions to get the stem cell transplant cost down. In India, stem cell transplant cost in most of the private run hospitals ranges between 10 to 20 lakh, however, in a government set up hospital the cost further declines and reaches somewhere between 5 to 7 lakh. This involves the basic price of stem cell transplant cost involves mainly the procedure cost. But in most of the cases complications and add on prescribed medications sums up in the treatment making the overall stem cell transplant cost reaching 9 to 10 lakh even in any government hospital.

Why Stem Cell Transplant cost in India is very less?

Stem cell therapy cost in India is comparatively very cheap rather than the price offered by several developed countries. India is currently offering excellent treatment therapies for several diseases at nearly one-tenth of the prices offered by the USA and Europe. Stem cell transplant cost might vary significantly all over the globe but none offers better prices than India currently with such excellent success rates and effective treatments.

The pricing offered by India for stem cell transplant cost is even lower than Thailand and other countries offering competitive medical treatment pricing. India is currently emerging as a hub for several medical treatments and medical tourism is increasing every year with a lot of money incoming in the healthcare sector. This is not only making India advance and adopt the high-tech modern facilities and grow in the medical field but it is also letting India earn a customer satisfaction in medical therapies as well. All this enables India in offering stem cell transplant cost at best economic prices.

How can Stem Cell Transplant cost be reduced?

In order to decrease down the stem cell transplant cost, more help from the private and government hospitals is required. Some tax deductions or extra charge removals from the stem cell transplant cost can make this procedure more economic and a normal person with an average salary can also afford to get this done and save a life of loved one.

Further, there are several hospitals which offer few outpatient services like chemotherapy sessions or radiations which are required mostly as pre-treatment before transplant. This decreases the stem cell transplant cost to a certain level. As it excludes the unnecessary hospitalization when it is not required. But a choice should be kept open for the patients to choose as per their finances and preferences. Because all patients especially foreign patients might not be looking for such options at the cost of giving up comfort and adding more of traveling even if it accounts to commuting from their temporary accommodation and hospital.

Related FAQs:

1) Q: How much does a Stem Cell transplant cost with insurance? 

A: Stem cell transplant cost with insurance also involves many expenses. Medical insurance companies do not provide full coverage. Although every company has its own norms normally it only covers the basic transplant cost. Which mostly excludes the travel expenses pre and post hospitalization expenses, medical device usage or transplant, a cosmetic perpetual requirement like wigs and medicines etc. It even requires pre-approval for transplants otherwise the company might deny the entitled compensation. Even the donor search and testing of the donor is not covered in insurance and has to be paid by the patient on his own pocket.

2) Q: How much does a Stem Cell transplant cost without insurance? 

A: Mostly all medical insurance companies do not cover every chronic degenerative disease requiring stem cell transplant. So in such cases, a person might pay everything including the transplant cost and other additional expenses of medicine, traveling, consultation, and even the cost added up by any complications etc. Although, a full and final transplant cost might vary depending upon the hospital opted. For a private hospital, the cost might be somewhere between 10 to 20 lakh and if any government hospital opts than this price might drop down to somewhere between 7 to 10 lakh. The final cost can only be offered by the hospital as per the condition and complexity evaluation of a patient.

 

3) Q: What is Stem Cell transplant cost when a donor is a full match? 

A: Stem cell transplant cost reduces greatly if a donor is a full match. Although, this is very hard to find a perfect 100% match. Even an identical twin at times do not show a complete match. But if it happens then it reduces the chances of several complications and extra immunosuppressant medications and unnecessary hospitalization. So this accounts for a basic transplant cost somewhere between 10 to 15 lakh in a good private hospital.

4) Q: What is Stem Cell transplant cost when the donor is Half match?

A: Stem cell transplant cost varies significantly depending upon the fact that a donor is a half-match or a full. Although this is a life-saving procedure, it does have its own connected risks. In case of a half match donor, the chances of developing risks increases and more preventive measures are required adding a cost of immunosuppressant medications etc. Even after that, a rejection or graft failure leads to an entire waste of cost and everything has to be done again with managing complications as well. This might even lead to adding up an additional cost and it might even cross 20 lakh at times and reach up 30 to 35 lakh.

Stem Cell Transplant and the Cost of Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant and the Cost of Therapy
stem cell transplant for cancer

Stem cell transplant is a mode of treatment which replaces the faulty blood-cell forming marrow with healthier marrow cells. The faulty bone marrow cells may be because of any injuries, infections, diseases and disabilities and even chemotherapy. Stem cell transplant is also called a bone marrow transplant.

Where is bone marrow transplant needed?

  • Cancers of the blood cells and bone marrow.
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Hemoglobin abnormalities like thalassemia
  • Red Blood cell disorders like sickle cell anemia
  • White blood cell disorders like congenital neutropenia
  • Chemotherapy

Stem cell transplant is one of the recent modes for treatment for many marrow cell disorders. The cost of treatment in India is one of the lowest compared to most other countries. The quality of the treatment is also top-notch and is provided by professional experts.

The starting price of stem cell therapy in India is around $9,000-$10,000.

Stem cell treatments in other countries:

Stem cell therapy in Nigeria is also placing their feet into the research. Studies are being performed for stem cell therapy in these regions and patients are receiving treatment. But this is still at a smaller scale and only a few hospitals with multi-specialties are able to provide this.
Stem cell therapy in Ghana is one of its recent advancements. The first stem cell therapy procedure was performed in the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. This was done for the treatment of sickle cell anemia. The entire procedure costs about $15,000 to $20,000. The surgical team and doctors did share their problem of lack of adequate staff and facilities.

Multiple myelomas is a rare type of blood cancer which is seen more commonly in African-Americans. Despite this, there are very few resources in countries like Kenya. The facilities to quickly diagnose this condition seems to be lacking. The expertise that is needed for long-term treatments like stem cell therapy is also not easily available. Apart from that, the cost of medications, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy is also too high for a common man.

Myelodysplastic syndrome is a group of diseases which are caused due to defective bone marrow. This condition is seen more commonly in African countries like Nigeria. Despite this, the availability of treatment is very scarce. Many individuals are seen making international trips to countries like India for an affordable treatment which come with state-of-the-art technology. The cost of treatment in Nigeria is also pretty high which begins at the range of $20,000 to $50,000.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia is another type of white blood cell cancer. Leukemia is one of the leading causes of death in many countries, especially the United Arab Emirates. The treatment options are available at too high a price for the common working-class man to afford. The initial cost of treatment begins at $20,000 and sometimes goes up to $50,000 also which makes it unaffordable for many.
While looking at the price-points and the quality of treatment, one can easily deduce that the advanced treatments like stem cell therapy is not as easily available in many countries. When available, they are more expensive than what can be afforded. There is also a steady increase in the number of people visiting India for such treatments.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Related FAQs:

1) Q: What accounts for the most affordable stem cell cost?

A: Adipose-derived stem cells are the most affordable ones. Although the stem cell therapy in itself is expensive and harvesting stem cell from adipose fat is comparatively cheaper than harvesting from bone marrow or teeth. So, in terms of stem cell cost efficacy, this one is the most preferred one and is really getting common day by day because of its cost-effectiveness.

 

2) Q: Why do stem cell cost vary from case to case?

A: A patient with complex diseases bears a higher cost of stem cell therapy. Since it requires a systemic approach to deal with all the conditions which arise before during and even after the stem cell therapy.  The stem cell cost might even double because of involvement of treatment for diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis etc.

3) Q: Which complications can further increase stem cell cost?

A: Any allergic reaction, rejection of transplant, graft-versus-host disease etc can all add up to stem cell cost individually or all together. As per the case different conditions might appear as complications post procedure and its treatment will add up the cost in whole. As a precaution, you must share your complete medical history along with ongoing medications to avoid any unwanted reaction due to that.

What diseases can be cured with Stem Cell Transplant?

What diseases can be cured with Stem Cell Transplant?
What diseases can be cured with Stem Cell Transplant?

What is a Stem Cell Transplant?

There are many diseases which are nowadays being cured by stem cells. But what actually are “stem cells”? These are basically the precursor cells which mature into different types of blood cells, namely, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

There is also another term – “bone marrow transplant”. there are two main sources of obtaining stem cells in adults. These are bone marrow and peripheral blood. When these cells are obtained from the bone marrow, we call it a bone marrow transplant. When the cells are taken from the circulating blood, the procedure is known as the “hematopoietic stem cell transplant”.

How does a Stem Cell Transplant cure a disease?

In this procedure, the patient receives healthy blood-forming cells to replace the defective ones. The patient’s stem cells can become defective or non-functional either due to a disease or radiation.

The newly inserted cells perform the function of duplication as well as growth and development of the blood cells. This helps in compensating for any decrease and loss of these cells due to any reason. As a result, the body can return back to its normal state.

How are the Cells obtained?

As we have seen, when we say Haematopoietic Stem cell Transplant, we mean the stem cells which are obtained from the peripheral blood. Weeks before the procedure, the patient is given various “growth factors” to stimulate the production of these blood-forming cells in bone marrow and move into circulation faster.

To extract the cells, an intravenous or IV tube is inserted in the donor’s arm. It is attached to a machine which performs the function of separating the stem cells from the blood and then collecting it. The rest of the blood is then sent back into the body via the same IV. The process may take a few hours and sometimes more than one sitting.

What are different types of Stem Cell Transplants?

Depending upon the source of stem cells, we can obtain the cells based upon who gives them. Mainly, it of three types i.e. allogenic stem cell transplant, autologous stem cell transplant, and syngeneic transplants.

An “Autologous transplant” means that the cells are used from the patient’s own blood. In some cases, the stem cells are collected for two transplants. When a patient has to be given high dose Chemotherapy, the second dose of the cells is transplanted usually 6 weeks after the first.

In an “Allogenic Transplant”, the cells are obtained from a donor after proper matching. The donor may or may not be related to the patient.

Then comes the “Syngeneic transplant”. The procedure obtains the cells from an identical twin. An identical twin has the same set of antigens and there are minimal chances of rejection.

What needs to be kept in mind for a Stem Cell Transplant?

Stem cell transplant is not a regular day-to-day procedure. It needs to be meticulously planned by a specialized team consisting of hematologists, general physicians, oncologists, immunologists etc. Along with all this, a careful patient examination is necessary. The patient should be able to handle the treatment. Some of the commonly considered patient factors are age (the younger the better because of better recovery); patient’s overall health and allied medical conditions; the, of course, the type, severity, prognosis, and spread of cancer. Also, the type of chemotherapy and the chances of cancer for remission or relapse also affect the treatment plan.

What are the possible Risks of Stem Cell Transplant?

The problems range from common nausea and vomiting to the more severe “Graft vs Host Disease (GVD)”. Some of the usual side effects include nausea/vomiting; infections; mucositis and pneumonitis. Patients may also need transfusions due to continuous bleeding before the effects of transplanted cells kick in.

Meticulous precautions should be taken post-operatively to prevent infections. We cannot predict how drained out the patient is after the chemotherapies after which he/she receives the transplant. Proper diet and necessary infection control measures need to be taken. The patients are also given precautionary antibiotics to prevent the development of infections.

Now we can address the major problem:

Graft vs Host Disease. It happens in allogenic transplant cases where the patient rejects the donor cells after the transplant. It is an emergent and critical complication which needs to addressed immediately. It can either be acute or chronic. Acute GVD shows its signs within 10-90 days of the stem cell transplant. While a chronic GVD later and lasts for a long time. In order to prevent such conditions, doctors prescribe immunosuppressants to lower down the chances of rejections.  

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

How much does Stem Cell Transplantation cost in India?

How much does stem cell transplantation cost in India?
How much does stem cell transplantation cost in India?

What does Stem Cell Transplantation mean?

There are certain conditions which directly affect the blood cells of the body. As a result of which all the functions performed by the blood such as supplying oxygen, nutrients, maintaining immunity etc. does not get done properly. The body becomes weak and shows certain signs& symptoms that show something is not okay.

The stem cell transplantation is one such procedure in which diseased abnormal stem cells are replaced by healthy ones. Stem cells are basically the precursor cells to the blood cells which grow and develop into mature cells.

The only difference between a bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant is that in stem cell transplant the cells are transplanted into the peripheral blood rather than the bone marrow. These cells could either be obtained from the patient’s own preserved umbilical cord or placenta, or the bone marrow.

The stem cells are said to be pluripotent in nature which means that they can develop into any type cells when exposed to appropriate stimulus. Hematopoietic stem cells are used to replace the blood-forming cells in the body.

Why does a patient need a Stem Cell Transplant?

There are certain diseases in which the body loses its ability to produce new health and proper functioning stem cells. Or, there is a problem with the existing cells.

Certain genetic conditions such as Sickle Cell Anemia, thalassemia etc. result in the production of abnormal red blood cells. A stem cell transplantation from a healthy individual can help to treat the disease.

Also, certain cancers such as leukemia and lymphomas require stem cell transplant because chemotherapy usually destroys all the viable ones. It is done to restore the body’s ability to produce new healthy blood cells.

Where do we obtain these cells from?

The stem cells can be obtained from the patient itself (autologous transplant), or from a relative or any person who is a match (allogeneic transplant), or from an identical twin if any.

The allogeneic transplant poses a risk of rejection which may require life-long immunosuppressant therapy which usually increases the cost of stem cell transplant.

How much does the Stem Cell Transplant cost?

The costs depend on the disease severity, hospital chosen, exchange rates, transplant technique, doctor’s fees etc. The patient needs to keep a lot of factors in mind such as travel costs, visa costs, follow-up care, eligibility, and also the matching donor.

A regular uncomplicated stem cell transplant costs around 15 lakhs if the donor is a relative. If the patient has to go to the procedure of finding a matching donor and obtaining its stem cell, the cost of the stem cell transplant increases to around 20-25 lakhs more.

All of these costs exclude the accommodation and travel costs which apply for patients who choose India to get their treatments done. This cost is way less than the patients have to pay in developed countries such as USA, UK and the rest of Europe. In India, we provide the same quality of care and expert doctors and physician at around one-sixth the cost in western countries.