Bone Marrow Transplant Hospital in Mumbai, India

The Centre for Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital provides bone marrow and stem cell transplantation for adults and children with complex blood cancers, blood disorders and certain inherited or immune conditions. The centre offers autologous and allogeneic transplantation and is supported by specialised transplant infrastructure, critical care, transfusion services, HLA testing and stem cell processing facilities.

Why Choose Nanavati Max for Bone Marrow Transplant in Mumbai

A Dedicated Transplant Unit

The transplant centre has dedicated facilities designed for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation, including positive-pressure rooms with HEPA filtration and isolation facilities for adults and children. Round-the-clock critical care and specialised supportive services are available as part of the transplant pathway.

Adult and Paediatric Care

Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation is available for both adults and children. The programme includes specialist haematology, paediatric haemato-oncology and transplant expertise, allowing treatment to be planned according to the patient's age, diagnosis and overall condition.

Authorised Stem Cell Collection Centre

The Bone Marrow Transplant Hospital in Mumbai is an authorised stem cell collection centre, supporting donor-related pathways when an unrelated stem cell donor may be required.

Transfusion, Laboratory and Stem Cell Support

Transplant care is supported by transfusion services, NAT-tested blood components, HLA testing, haematology and flow cytometry, microbiology, drug assays, histopathology, and facilities for peripheral stem cell harvesting, bone marrow processing and cryopreservation.

Conditions We Treat

Malignant Haematology

Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may form part of treatment for selected blood cancers and related disorders, including:

• Acute and chronic leukaemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Hodgkin's lyphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders

The choice of transplant depends on the diagnosis, disease status, previous treatment and overall health.

Benign Haematology

The centre also treats non-malignant blood and bone marrow disorders, including:

• Thalassaemia
• Sickle cell disease
• Aplastic anaemia
• Bone marrow failure syndromes
• Immunodeficiency disorders
• Selected inherited disorders
• Bleeding and coagulation disorders

Some of these conditions may require transplantation, while others are managed with non-transplant treatments depending on the individual case.

Consultative Haematology

Specialist haematology assessment is also available for abnormal blood counts, coagulation problems, haemolytic conditions, thrombosis and other unexplained blood-related abnormalities.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

The type of transplant depends on the patient's diagnosis, treatment plan and availability of suitable stem cells.

Autologous Transplant

In an autologous transplant, the patient's own stem cells are collected and preserved before high-dose treatment. The stored cells are then returned after chemotherapy to help restore blood-cell production.

Allogeneic Transplant

An allogeneic transplant uses stem cells from another person. The donor may be a matched family member, a matched unrelated donor or another suitable donor source identified through the transplant evaluation. HLA testing helps assess donor-recipient compatibility.

Stem cells may be obtained from bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood, depending on the transplant plan.

Your Transplant Journey

Preparation

The transplant team first evaluates the diagnosis, general health, organ function, and suitability for transplantation. This may include blood tests, imaging, infection screening, HLA testing, and other assessments. A central venous catheter may also be placed when required.

Stem Cell Collection

For an autologous transplant, the patient's own stem cells are collected and preserved. For an allogeneic transplant, stem cells are collected from the selected donor.

Conditioning

Chemotherapy, with or without radiation therapy, is given before transplantation. The purpose is to treat the underlying disease and prepare the body for the infused stem cells.

Transplant

The collected stem cells are infused through a vein, in a process similar to a blood transfusion. The cells then travel to the bone marrow and begin the process of restoring blood-cell production.

Engraftment and Early Recovery

The patient remains under close observation while the transplanted cells establish themselves and begin producing new blood cells. During this period, infection prevention, blood-count monitoring and supportive treatment are particularly important.

Long-Term Follow-Up

After engraftment, follow-up continues to monitor blood counts, immune recovery, disease status and any complications related to treatment or transplantation.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation

Allogeneic transplantation replaces diseased or damaged blood-forming cells with healthy stem cells from a suitable donor. It is used for selected malignant and non-malignant conditions, including leukaemias, lymphomas, aplastic anaemia and certain inherited disorders.

Because donor cells are genetically different from the recipient's cells, the transplant team closely monitors for complications such as graft-versus-host disease, graft failure and infection. The treatment plan and follow-up are tailored to the individual patient.

Autologous Transplant

An autologous transplant uses the patient's own stem cells. These are collected and preserved before high-dose treatment and subsequently reinfused to help restore bone marrow function.

This approach is used for selected blood disorders and cancers, including conditions such as multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas. Treatment is planned by a multidisciplinary team according to the patient's disease and overall health.

Cost of Bone Marrow Transplant in Mumbai

The cost of bone marrow transplant varies depending on the patient's condition, type of transplant and treatment requirements. Factors that may influence the overall cost include:

• Type of transplant, such as autologous or allogeneic transplantation
• Donor-related requirements, including donor identification and compatibility testing where applicable
• Pre-transplant evaluation, investigations and stem cell collection
• Duration of hospitalisation and level of supportive care required
• Medications, blood products and management of any complications
• Follow-up care and monitoring after transplantation

A personalised cost estimate is provided based on the patient's diagnosis, transplant plan and individual treatment requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a bone marrow transplant?

A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant in many settings, replaces damaged or diseased blood-forming stem cells with healthy cells. The cells may come from the patient or from a donor, depending on the type of transplant.

2. What are the different types of bone marrow transplants?

The two main types are autologous and allogeneic transplantation. Autologous transplantation uses the patient's own stem cells, while allogeneic transplantation uses cells from a suitable donor. Cord blood can also be used as a stem cell source in selected allogeneic transplants.

3. What is the process of a bone marrow transplant?

Treatment generally involves evaluation, stem cell collection, conditioning therapy and stem cell infusion, followed by close monitoring during engraftment and recovery. The exact sequence and treatment intensity depend on the patient's condition and transplant type.

4. What are the potential risks and complications?

Potential complications include infection, bleeding, graft failure, organ-related complications and side effects from conditioning treatment. Allogeneic transplantation can also cause graft-versus-host disease, in which donor immune cells react against the recipient's tissues.

5. How do I find the right bone marrow transplant hospital in Mumbai?

Look for a centre with dedicated transplant infrastructure, experienced haematology and transplant specialists, appropriate infection-control facilities, transfusion and laboratory support, and access to different donor and stem cell sources when clinically required.

6. Who is the best donor for a bone marrow transplant?

The most appropriate donor depends on the patient's condition and HLA compatibility. A suitable related donor may be considered first, while matched unrelated or other donor options may be explored when required.

7. What is the best age to donate bone marrow?

Donor suitability depends on age, general health, medical history and the requirements of the recipient. Potential donors undergo an appropriate medical assessment before donation.

8. Who cannot donate bone marrow?

Donation eligibility is determined after medical screening. Certain infections, medical conditions and other health factors may make a person temporarily or permanently unsuitable. The final decision is made through donor evaluation.

9. Is a bone marrow transplant painful?

The stem cell infusion itself is generally similar to receiving blood through an intravenous line and is not usually painful. The conditioning treatment and recovery period can cause side effects such as fatigue, nausea, mouth sores and increased susceptibility to infection. Donors may also experience temporary effects depending on how their stem cells are collected.

10. Is bone marrow transplant available for children?

Yes. The transplant centre provides care for paediatric patients as well as adults, with transplantation considered for selected childhood blood cancers, inherited disorders, bone marrow failure and immune conditions.