Transplantation
Organ and tissue transplantation including kidney, liver, and bone marrow.
Bone Marrow Transplant
Bone marrow transplantation (also known as haematopoietic stem cell transplantation) is a potentially curative treatment for a range of blood cancers and disorders. Turkey's bone marrow transplant centres at Memorial, Acıbadem, and American Hospital perform hundreds of transplants annually, placing Turkey among the top countries globally in transplant volume and outcomes. Our programmes are accredited by JACIE (Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT-Europe & EBMT) and follow the highest international standards.
Types of Transplants
We perform both autologous transplants (using the patient's own stem cells) and allogeneic transplants (using stem cells from a matched donor). For allogeneic transplants, donors may be matched siblings, other family members (haploidentical), or unrelated donors identified through international registries. Our transplant team has extensive experience with haploidentical transplantation techniques that have significantly expanded the donor pool for patients without a fully matched sibling.
Conditions Treated
Bone marrow transplant is performed for leukaemias (acute myeloid, acute lymphoblastic, chronic myeloid), lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anaemia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and certain immune deficiency disorders. Our haematologists determine transplant eligibility based on disease type, stage, prior treatments, and overall health.
The Transplant Process
The transplant process involves a conditioning regimen (chemotherapy with or without radiation) to prepare the bone marrow, followed by the stem cell infusion, which is similar to a blood transfusion and takes 1-2 hours. The critical engraftment period follows, during which patients are cared for in HEPA-filtered positive-pressure isolation rooms to minimise infection risk. Our transplant units maintain the strictest infection control protocols and provide comprehensive supportive care including nutrition, pain management, and psychological support.
International patients and their caregivers receive full support with accommodation, meals, translation, and 24/7 access to the transplant team throughout the hospitalisation and outpatient monitoring period, which typically extends 2-3 months after transplant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to stay in Turkey for a bone marrow transplant?
The total stay typically ranges from 2-3 months. This includes pre-transplant evaluation and conditioning (1-2 weeks), the transplant hospitalisation (3-4 weeks), and outpatient monitoring during the engraftment and early recovery period (4-8 weeks). We arrange comfortable long-stay accommodation for patients and their caregivers near the hospital.
What is the success rate of bone marrow transplants?
Success rates vary significantly by diagnosis, disease stage, donor type, and patient age. For acute leukaemia in first remission with a matched sibling donor, long-term disease-free survival can exceed 60-70%. Our haematologists will provide specific outcome data relevant to your diagnosis during the evaluation process.
Can I have a bone marrow transplant without a matched sibling?
Yes. Our programme has extensive experience with haploidentical transplants (using half-matched family members such as parents, children, or siblings) and unrelated donor transplants identified through international registries. These advances have made transplant accessible to the majority of patients who need one.
Treatment Overview
Duration
1-2 hours (infusion)
Recovery Time
3-6 months
Price Range
£20,000 - £40,000
Benefits
- JACIE-accredited transplant programme
- Autologous, allogeneic, and haploidentical transplant capabilities
- HEPA-filtered positive-pressure isolation rooms
- Access to international donor registries
- Comprehensive supportive care programme
- 2-3 months post-transplant monitoring in Turkey
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