Back to Top
There are no results that match your search.
By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hasan L. Lice, on Apr 26, 2023

What Is Bone Marrow Transplant? 

A bone marrow transplant procedure, also known as a stem cell transplant, is performed to replenish blood cells in the marrow, which will then go on to develop into different blood cell types that are required. 

The procedure is often performed after a round of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, both of which destroy current diseased blood cells in the body. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy before the bone marrow transplant procedure ensures that the bone marrow transplant donor cells aren’t being mixed with diseased cells. 

Bone Marrow Transplantations Recovery Time

Recovery from a bone marrow transplantation procedure takes around 2 months and you can then return to your daily activities. Your blood cells can take anywhere between 6 months to 12 months to go back to normal levels. 

During the first year of recovery, it is recommended to remain cautious and follow the doctor's instructions. This will ensure the best results with minimal risk of complications.

How is Bone Marrow Transplant Performed?

A bone marrow transplant in Turkey is performed with the help of a donor. To find a donor, either the HLA library can be used or a family member can donate bone marrow. The donor stem cells are then harvested and treated to ensure they are sterile. This helps reduce the risk of infections. 

The treated donor stem cells are then introduced into the host body, and the patient is monitored closely for 24 hours after the procedure to check for donor rejection. The whole transplant procedure takes roughly 3 hours.  

 

What Does Bone Marrow Transplant Involve?

A bone marrow transplant involves 5 main steps, which are mentioned below:

  • Tests and procedures
  • Harvesting or collecting of stem cells
  • Conditioning
  • Transplant
  • Recovery

To begin, you will need to undergo several tests to assess your general health and your eligibility for the bone marrow transplant procedure. Once that is completed, the decision regarding donor stem cells will need to be made. As in, will the stem cells be harvested from your own body or a donor.

The next step is the harvesting of these stem cells which is then followed by rounds of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This conditioning step is to suppress your immune system and prepare the body for new stem cells. In rare cases, reduced-intensity conditioning may be performed. 

The fourth and fifth steps are the transplant procedure and the recovery from the procedure which can take approximately up to 1 year. 

What Should I Expect After Bone Marrow Transplant

After the bone marrow transplant, you will:

  • Undergo blood tests periodically
  • Require blood transfusions.
  • Be on immunosuppressive medications
  • Be more likely to catch infections
  • Be on a specific healthy diet to reduce the risk of foodborne infections.

Side Effects Of Bone Marrow in Turkey

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Graft Vs Host Disease
  • Donor rejection
  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting

Bone Marrow Treatment Surgery Results

The bone marrow transplant in Turkey generally produces positive results with the success rate of the procedure being 87 percent. 

How To Prepare For Bone Marrow Transplant?

  • Understand how your life is going to change after the procedure. This includes dietary changes and changes in lifestyle, for at least a year after the procedure. 
  • Make sure your primary medical team transfers all required documents and reports to the surgeons in Turkey to avoid unnecessary testing.
  • Ask a loved one to come along, to accompany you on this journey.

Quick Facts

Procedure

 Bone Marrow Transplant

Duration

 3 - 4 hours 

Cost in Turkey

 €80,000 – €110,000

Anesthesia

 Local anesthesia 

Recovery

 6 - 12 months (sometimes longer)

Final Results

 6 - 12 months (sometimes longer)

Side Effects

 Anemia, bleeding disorders, and easy bruising

Risks

 Stem cell or graft failure, organ failure, cataract

Success Rate

 65%

Exercise

 Immediately (low intensity)

Back To Work

 After 6 months 

Scars

 Yes (not visible)

Pain

 No 

Related Procedures

 Umbilical cord blood

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is turkey bone marrow good for you?

Turkish medical standards are quite high with all procedures being performed in state-of-the-art facilities by board-certified, highly-skilled surgeons. It is completely safe to have a bone marrow transplant in Turkey.

How much does a bone marrow transplant cost?

The cost of bone marrow transplants in Turkey is approximately €45,000 to €65,000. The cost is dependent on whether the procedure is an autologous bone marrow transplant or an allogenic bone marrow transplant.

Why is bone marrow transplant expensive?

Bone marrow transplant is one of the most expensive cancer treatments as the costs include chemotherapy costs, surgery costs, stem cell treatment costs, hospital stay costs,  and pre-procedure testing costs. 

Is a bone marrow transplant worth it?

A bone marrow transplant is performed when medically necessary for the treatment and management of certain cancers and other medical conditions. In such instances, a bone marrow transplant is worth it. 

What is a marrow bone transplant?

A marrow bone transplant, a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure used to treat certain types of cancer, blood disorders, and other conditions that affect the bone marrow.

What is the survival rate after a bone marrow transplant?

The survival rate after a BMT depends on the type of BMT and the cause of it. The average survival rate is between 65% to 90%.

How does a bone marrow transplant work?

A BMT requires donor stem cells from you, or a different donor, that will then be transfused to your bloodstream via a central line.

How serious is a bone marrow transplant?

A BMT is a serious procedure that can only be performed when other forms of treatment have failed to be effective.

How painful is a bone marrow transplant?

BMT does not cause pain during the transplant procedure, but there may be slight fever and discomfort after the procedure.

Is a bone marrow transplant a major surgery?

Yes, BMT is a major procedure with numerous potential side effects.