If we can procure and maintain a supply of stem cells, BMT costs are likely to drop: Dr. Prasad Narayanan – ET HealthWorld

Shahid Akhter, editor, ETHealthworld, spoke to Dr. Prasad Narayanan, Director of Medical Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplantation at Cytecare Cancer Hospital, Bangalore, to find find out about the latest advancements in the management of hematolgical cancers by way of BMT and how it can be made more affordable.

Bone Marrow Transplant: Latest advancements
Bone Marrow transplantation is one of the oldest procedures that we have in the treatment of cancer; majorly for Hematological Cancers. This is one of the treatment modalities, which is needed to medically address many cancers including hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and so on. We are currently witnessing a paradigm shift in bone marrow transplants. Earlier this transplant was only possible if the donor matched the recipient. However, due to advanced treatment procedures available today, 30% of the transplants which happen across the world now are from unrelated donors.

Another advancement we have seen in bone marrow transplant is the ability to treat the complications that arise post the procedure. The knowledge on how to treat these complications is much better today.

Bone Marrow Transplant: Making it affordable
Transplant is one of the most effective treatments for certain medical conditions. However, when we speak about transplants, we always talk about how expensive the treatment is. In my opinion, although the cost of transplant has dropped drastically in the past decade or so, we should be able to think of ways to make it even more affordable.

Secondly, for a country like India that has such a large population, we should be able to bank more of our stem cells like what we are doing now. I think if we can procure and maintain a big supply of stem cells, people who require it will be able to access it more effortlessly. The reason why transplant is expensive is due to the lack of availability or accessibility. So, with increased access the cost is likely to drop.

Bone Marrow Transplant @Cytecare
At Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, we have a highly experienced team, members of which have performed more than 300 bone marrow transplants in their cumulative careers. Specifically speaking about Cytecare, so far, we have carried out 15 transplants and have been quite successful. Since we are an exclusive cancer center with organ site focus, our multi-disciplinary team approach results in better outcomes, low infection rates and better patient experience.