Bone Marrow Transplant in India: What to Expect, Step by Step

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant (BMT) replaces damaged blood cells with healthy ones. It is used to treat some blood cancers, blood conditions and immune system disorders. The NHS explains that treatment happens in stages, usually includes several weeks in hospital, and that full recovery can take up to a year. For international patients, that makes careful planning, a longer stay and a strong support network especially important.

This guide explains each stage so you and your family can prepare with confidence.

Why is a bone marrow transplant done?

According to the NHS, a transplant may be part of treatment for conditions caused by problems with blood cells, such as:

• acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML);
• Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma;
• multiple myeloma;
• sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.

The aim is to cure or control the condition by replacing unhealthy blood cells with healthy stem cells. Whether a transplant is right for you, and which type, is a decision for your haematologist and transplant team.

Two types of transplant

• Autologous transplant: uses your own stem cells, collected from your blood or bone marrow.
• Allogeneic transplant: uses stem cells from a donor.

Finding a donor

The NHS explains that donated stem cells need to match yours, and the best match is usually a brother or sister, or sometimes another close family member. If you may need a donor, tell us early. Family members may need tests, and if a donor will travel to India with you, check the right visa category on the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, well before you book.

Before the transplant: tests and preparation

The NHS lists tests that may be done to check you are well enough for a transplant, including:

• heart tests, such as an ECG and an echocardiogram;
• an X-ray or CT scan to check organs such as the lungs and liver;
• blood tests to check your blood cells and how well your liver and kidneys are working;
• a bone marrow biopsy if you have cancer, to see if it is under control.

Some hospitals also offer "prehabilitation": support with diet, exercise and mental health before the transplant. Sending your recent reports to us early helps the transplant team decide which tests can be reviewed from home and which will be repeated in India.

The stages of treatment

1. Collecting stem cells

If your own cells are used, the NHS describes a process called harvesting. You have injections for four days to increase the number of stem cells in your blood, then a machine collects them. If stem cells are taken from bone marrow instead, a needle is put into the hip bone under general anaesthetic.

2. Conditioning therapy

You usually have chemotherapy or radiotherapy to destroy unhealthy blood cells. The NHS says this usually lasts one to ten days, but can be longer, and the transplant usually happens the day after it finishes.

3. The transplant itself

The stem cells are given through a thin tube placed in your chest or upper arm, going directly into your bloodstream, a bit like a blood transfusion. The NHS notes that it is not painful and does not need a general anaesthetic.

4. Protective isolation

Conditioning therapy can stop your immune system working properly, so you are usually looked after in your own room, away from other people, until the transplant starts to work. Visitors, including your care team, wear masks, gloves and gowns.

Recovery

The NHS says you can usually expect to spend several weeks in hospital until your care team is sure it is safe for you to go home. After leaving hospital, check-ups are usually weekly at first. Your team may give you medicines to protect against infection and, after a donor transplant, medicine to stop your immune system attacking the new cells.

The NHS advises against travelling abroad unless your care team says you can. For international patients, that means planning to stay near the hospital after discharge. Medwell can book a hotel near your hospital for this period, and we stay in touch throughout.

Side effects and complications

Common side effects listed by the NHS include tiredness, a sore mouth, nausea, temporary hair loss and a higher risk of infection. After a donor transplant, there is a risk of graft versus host disease (GvHD), where the donor cells attack other cells in the body. Some treatments can also affect fertility, and the NHS suggests asking about storing eggs or sperm beforehand. Your team will explain what to watch for and when to call them urgently.

Planning a longer stay in Delhi NCR

• Companions: India's visa portal states that up to two companions can travel on e-Medical Attendant Visas linked to the patient's visa. A transplant is a long journey, and having someone with you matters.
• Accommodation: choose somewhere close to the hospital so weekly check-ups are easy.
• Food safety: the NHS advises careful food hygiene during recovery, such as washing fruit and vegetables thoroughly. Ask your team about foods to avoid.
• Communication: an interpreter is available on request, so you can follow detailed instructions with confidence.

Costs and your quote

Every transplant plan is different, so we do not publish a single figure here. Send us your reports and we will come back with a free, no-obligation personalised quote based on Medwell's bone marrow transplant packages within 24 hours. It remains an estimate until the hospital's transplant team has reviewed your reports and confirmed a plan. You can compare our partner centres on the hospitals page.

Sources

• NHS: What is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant?
• NHS: Why a stem cell or bone marrow transplant is done
• NHS: Preparing for a stem cell or bone marrow transplant
• NHS: How a stem cell or bone marrow transplant is done
• NHS: Recovering from a stem cell or bone marrow transplant
• NHS: Complications of a stem cell or bone marrow transplant
• Government of India: e-Visa information (indianvisaonline.gov.in)