Bone Marrow Transplantation Indian medical tourism

Bone Marrow Transplantation In India !

Major hospitals in India have oncology units comprising surgical oncology, medical and radiation therapy as well as the crucial Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). The BMT unit with high pressure hipa filters has helped achieve a very high success rate in the various types of transplantation.

Cord Blood Transplant and Mismatched Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant have been performed successfully, a feat that is remarkable and significant, considering the fact that the treatment costs one-tenth of what it does in the west. Special surgeons are available for individual organs. Plastic surgeons of repute provide treatment for head and neck cancer, breast cancer and other malignancies. Facilities offered include tele-therapy which includes simulation work stations to ensure high precision and safety during treatment at the 18 MV linear accelerator or telecobalt machines, brachy therapy and 3-D planning systems. In orthopedics, the Ilizarov technique is practiced for the treatment of limb deformities, limb shortening and disfiguration.

BMT Emotional Aspects

Everyone has a unique experience and outlook to bring to bone marrow transplantation. Even though it will be different for everyone who goes through it, some common feelings and concerns seem to be shared by many families. Patients and families can expect that their emotions will seem to be constantly flip-flopping to opposite extremes. You may feel excited and hopeful to be starting the transplant procedure, and at the same time may feel anxiety about what is ahead. You can expect to feel tired, frustrated, and short-tempered at times. It is natural to feel high or low along with the medical changes, and even sometimes doubt your original decision to have the transplant.

Family members often wish they could be at the hospital, at home and at work all at once. Arguments may arise over what other family members are doing (or not doing). Family members may feel guilty or blame each other. Love, anger, vulnerability and faith may all be felt together.

Separation from part of your family can be hard. Sometimes it may be easy, and at other times it may be hard to deal with staying in the isolation room. Complying with the treatment regimen can be difficult, and privacy is difficult to maintain since medical care depends on knowing intimate details of everything that happens. We will try to respect your privacy as much as possible.

Siblings and donors

Brothers and sisters often feel left out and hurt, so it is important to set aside special time for them. It helps to involve siblings in planning, telephoning, and visiting the patient. Often, donors feel ambivalent about donating. They want to donate yet at the same time feel apprehensive about the procedure. Many donors worry unnecessarily that their bone marrow might not be "good enough" or that they may be permanently harmed by the donation. Donors may also feel they are only partially appreciated by their family and the staff for undergoing surgery to give their bone marrow. It is important to show much recognition and appreciation for donors.

Coping strategies for patients and family members

Planning ahead seems to help. You may want to talk with staff about your own expectations, concerns, and worries. Please tell us how you and your child learn best, and what works best at times which are difficult for you. Tell us how much detail you like to know regarding medical information and doctors concerns. Some people like to anticipate all possibilities while others like to wait to find out when changes occur. It will be important to talk to the staff about your child's reactions to medicines, both physical and emotional, so we can know how to help.

Remember how your child normally handles boredom, fatigue, and frustration. Help him/her to use these coping methods or to find new ones. And remember that you will have similar feelings. You might want to plan ahead on how you will relax while at the hospital. You will be asked if you want to talk with other families who are involved with bone marrow transplantation. You may choose to do so at times or find kindred spirits on your own. Conserving your energy and resources is a challenge. When friends and family want to help you, remind them that hospitalization is only the beginning of transplantation and you may need their support even more when you return home.

The bottom line is that there is no "right way" to act or feel. Let us know your way, so we can help.

Breast Cancer
A tumour (lump) can be benign or malignant. Benign tumours do not spread to any other part of the body. A malignant tumour is a true cancer because it has the ability to spread beyond the original site via blood stream or lymphatic system. Dislodged cells reach a new site where they have to overcome resistance offered by your immune system and then form a colony to establish 'metastasis' or 'secondary tumour'.

Oncology (Cancer) & Chemotherapy
The most common cancers are Head & Neck (30%), Gynecological (30%, largely cervical), and Breast (about 14%). Luckily, all three are amenable to prevention by simple modifications in personal lifestyle and tobacco and food habits, by education and awareness programmes and counseling. They can be detected early through mass screening exercises, preventive clinics and simple self-examinations
Oncology is a medical specialty, which includes diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures of cancers. Chemotherapy is the practice of using drugs and medicines to treat cancer. These drugs are often referred to as "anti-cancer drugs". Depending on the type of cancer and its stage, one or more drugs are used. Cancer occurs due to uncontrolled and uncoordinated multiplication and /or growth of cells. Chemotherapy can slow or completely stop this process, resulting in the partial or total resolution of cancerous process. Some times hormones are also used to treat some specific types of cancer.

HPV Testing and Cervical Cancer
A HPV is a virus recognized as a risk factor for development of cervical cancer. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. There are over 70 known types of HPV. Thirteen of these types are called high-risk viruses because they are cancer-related. In almost all cases, a healthy immune system will suppress or clear the virus (make the virus go away or will control the virus from causing any damage), including the cancer-related types. Most women with HPV will not develop cervical cancer. However, if HPV infection remains over many years, there is a greater chance of developing cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.