Bone marrow transplant in India
A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, replaces diseased marrow with healthy blood-forming stem cells. For many blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, it offers the main hope of a cure. India has established transplant units that perform this for international patients at a fraction of Western cost.
- Also called
- Stem cell transplant, BMT, haematopoietic stem cell transplant
- Two main types
- Autologous (your own cells) and allogeneic (a donor's cells)
- Commonly treats
- Leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and some non-cancer marrow disorders
- Typical stay
- Several weeks in hospital, then weeks more nearby for monitoring
- Donor
- For allogeneic transplants, often a matched sibling or an unrelated match
- Cost
- Depends on the type and complications. Written estimate before you travel
What a bone marrow transplant does
Bone marrow is the tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells. In some blood cancers and marrow disorders, that factory is diseased. A transplant lets doctors give very high-dose treatment to clear the diseased marrow, then rescue the body with healthy blood-forming stem cells that rebuild a new, healthy blood system. Despite the name, in most cases the cells are collected from the bloodstream, not drilled from the bone, and given like a blood transfusion.
The two main types
Autologous (your own cells)
- Your own stem cells are collected and stored, then returned after high-dose treatment
- No donor needed, and no risk of the graft attacking your body
- Common for myeloma and some lymphomas
Allogeneic (a donor's cells)
- Healthy stem cells come from a matched donor, often a sibling or an unrelated match
- The donor's new immune system can also help fight the cancer
- Carries the risk of graft-versus-host disease, so needs careful matching and monitoring
Which type suits you, and whether a transplant is the right step at all, depends on your diagnosis, your remission status and finding a suitable donor. This is one of the most individual decisions in cancer care, and it is exactly what the teleconsultation is for.
What the process involves
- Assessment and matching. Tests confirm you are ready, and for an allogeneic transplant a donor is found and matched.
- Conditioning. High-dose chemotherapy, sometimes with radiation, clears the diseased marrow. This is the most demanding phase.
- The transplant. The healthy stem cells are given through a drip, like a transfusion. The infusion itself is straightforward.
- Engraftment. Over the following weeks the new cells settle in and begin making healthy blood. You are cared for in a protected environment while your immune system is low.
- Recovery and monitoring. Close follow-up continues for weeks after you leave hospital, which is why the total stay in India is longer than for most treatments.
How long you will need to stay
A transplant needs a longer commitment than most treatments. Expect several weeks as an inpatient, followed by several more weeks nearby for close monitoring while your new immune system strengthens. Because the immune system is fragile during this time, this is not a treatment to rush or to travel home from early. Your transplant team will give you a realistic timeline, and it is important that a companion can stay with you for the whole period.
What it costs in India
The type of transplant drives the cost more than anything else, and the difference between them is substantial. These are indicative package prices from our partner hospitals.
| Type of transplant | Indicative cost | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Autologous (your own cells) | $12,000–15,000 | No donor needed. Common for myeloma and some lymphomas |
| Allogeneic, full match donor | $20,000 | A fully matched sibling or unrelated donor |
| Haploidentical, half match | $25,000 | A half-matched family member, when no full match exists |
These are indicative package prices as at July 2026, not a quotation. What the package includes: hospital charges, the surgeon's fee, medicines given during your stay, and any implants and consumables. Not included: pre-operative investigations, flights, visa, accommodation outside the hospital stay, or treatment for complications. Your written estimate follows the specialist's review of your case. No part of it is a fee to us; the hospital pays us, so your bill is never marked up.
For context, transplant in the United States or Western Europe typically runs to several times these figures, which is the main reason families travel for it. Weigh the whole trip, though, not just the procedure: a transplant means months rather than weeks, with a companion staying throughout, so accommodation is a real part of the budget.
Questions patients ask
Is a bone marrow transplant possible in India for my case?
India's transplant units perform both autologous and allogeneic transplants for international patients, including for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Whether it is right for you depends on your diagnosis, your remission status and, for an allogeneic transplant, finding a suitable donor. A transplant specialist can tell you after reviewing your reports.
Do I need a donor, and who can it be?
An autologous transplant uses your own cells, so no donor is needed. An allogeneic transplant needs a matched donor, often a brother or sister, or an unrelated matched donor. If a family member may be a donor, tests can check suitability. The specialist will advise on the best route for your case.
How long is the whole treatment?
Plan for a stay of some weeks in hospital and several more weeks nearby for monitoring. It is a longer commitment than most treatments because the new immune system needs time to strengthen under close watch. Your team will give you a specific timeline for your type of transplant.
What is graft-versus-host disease?
In an allogeneic transplant, the donor's new immune cells can sometimes react against your body's tissues. This is called graft-versus-host disease, and it can range from mild to serious. Careful donor matching and medicines reduce the risk and manage it, and it is one reason allogeneic transplants need close monitoring. Your specialist will explain the risk in your specific situation.
Can someone travel with me?
Yes, and for a transplant it is strongly advised. A companion can apply for a medical attendant visa alongside your medical visa, and their support matters through the long recovery. See our medical visa guide.
What are the chances of success?
Success depends heavily on the disease, its stage, your age and general health, and the type of transplant, so a single number would be misleading. A transplant specialist reviewing your case can give you a realistic picture for your own situation rather than a general statistic, which is exactly what an honest consultation should do.