Treatment
Bone marrow transplant
A bone marrow (stem cell) transplant can treat several blood cancers and inherited blood disorders, including sickle cell disease, which affects many families in Africa. Transplant teams in India review the diagnosis, check whether a suitable donor is likely, and explain the type of transplant they recommend.
Conditions we can help with
- Leukaemias (AML, ALL, CML)
- Lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
- Multiple myeloma
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassaemia major
- Aplastic anaemia
- Some immune deficiencies in children
Treatments and procedures
- Autologous transplant (using the patient’s own stem cells)
- Allogeneic transplant from a matched brother or sister
- Matched unrelated donor transplant (from a donor registry)
- Haploidentical (half-matched) family donor transplant
- HLA typing of the patient and of brothers and sisters
Availability of a technique depends on the hospital and on your case.
Your journey
How it usually goes
- 1
Send the diagnosis reports and the list of brothers and sisters (age, blood group).
- 2
The transplant team gives an opinion, the type of transplant and an estimate.
- 3
HLA typing to find the best donor, sometimes started before travel.
- 4
Pre-transplant tests, conditioning treatment, then the transplant itself.
- 5
A protected stay while the new marrow starts working, then outpatient follow-up nearby.
- 6
Return home with a detailed follow-up plan and regular contact with the team.
How long you may stay in India
As general guidance: an autologous transplant often needs about four to six weeks in India. An allogeneic or haploidentical transplant often needs about two to three months, because the team monitors the patient closely after the transplant. The donor usually needs a shorter stay. Your team gives an estimate for your case.
General guidance only. Every case is different, and the hospital gives its own estimate for you.
What to send for a free review
- Bone marrow biopsy, flow cytometry and genetic (cytogenetic) reports, if done
- Recent blood counts and transfusion history
- For sickle cell disease: haemoglobin electrophoresis and a history of crises and complications
- HLA typing results, if already done; ages of brothers and sisters
Clear phone photos are fine to start with. Please don’t post medical details on public social media.
Send my reportsGood to know
A brother or sister is often the best possible donor, so families sometimes travel together. We explain who needs to come and when.
Not every patient is suitable for a transplant. The decision depends on the disease, its stage and the patient’s general health.
A word of honesty: no one can promise a cure. The treating doctors decide the treatment, and results differ from patient to patient. What we promise is clear information, respect and support at every step.
Related treatments
Not sure where to start? Send us your reports.
A free, no-obligation case review by specialist hospitals in India. In English or French.