What is bone marrow, bone marrow transplantation and why it is done?
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue that fills bone cavities and is responsible for producing blood elements like white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. During the treatment of cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, a high doses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy damages bone marrow and body fall short of blood cells. In such cases, damaged bone marrow is replaced by new one either from donor, whose HL-A (human compatibility antigens) are similar to that of patient-the process termed as allogenic bone marrow transplant or from patient itself –the process called autologous bone marrow transplant. Why India is famous for bone marrow transplantation? Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) started in India during the beginning of 1983, since then the process catch up slow but steady growth. No doubt, India is a small country in comparison to the US and Europe but the health care facilities India providing to its global clients are far more excellent and cost effective too. Cost for BMT in the US is
