Bone marrow transplant in Turkey: autologous and allogeneic transplants in specialized units
Autologous or allogeneic, finding a donor, procedure, length of stay, follow-up and care in Turkey: everything you need to know about bone marrow transplants.
What is a bone marrow transplant in Turkey?
A bone marrow transplant, or hematopoietic stem cell transplant, replaces bone marrow that is diseased or destroyed by intensive treatment with healthy stem cells able to rebuild the blood and immune system. It can cure or durably control several blood cancers.
A bone marrow transplant in Turkey is performed in specialized transplant units in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health. There are two types: autologous transplant, using the patient’s own cells, mainly for myeloma and some lymphomas, and allogeneic transplant, using a donor’s cells, often a brother or sister, for some leukemias. The stay usually lasts 3 to 4 weeks for an autologous transplant and 2 to 3 months for an allogeneic transplant. The price is set in a free quote.
TurquieMed organizes your stay: forwarding your file to the oncology team, opinion and detailed quote within 48 hours, airport pick-up, transfers, hotel, interpreter and 7-day-a-week assistance.
- Types
- Autologous, allogeneic
- Autologous
- Usually 3 to 4 weeks in Turkey
- Allogeneic
- Usually 2 to 3 months in Turkey
- Donor
- Often a compatible brother or sister
How much does a bone marrow transplant cost in Turkey?
The price depends mainly on the type of transplant: an autologous transplant costs much less than an allogeneic transplant, which requires finding and preparing a donor, a longer hospital stay and several weeks of close follow-up. For a comparable level of care, the total cost in Turkey is often significantly lower than in Western Europe or North America.
Your free quote is prepared after your file has been reviewed. It details the donor tests, the transplant, the stay in a protected room, medication, nearby accommodation and interpreter.
Why have a bone marrow transplant in Turkey?
A bone marrow transplant is one of the most specialized treatments in medicine. It requires a dedicated unit, a trained team and rigorous organization, which Turkey’s major centers have developed for international patients.
- Dedicated transplant units. Protected rooms with filtered air, specialized medical and nursing staff, and a cell therapy laboratory to prepare the grafts.
- Family donor transplants made easier. A donor brother or sister can come with you: their compatibility tests (HLA) and the collection are organized on site.
- Short waiting times. Once the donor is identified and the assessment approved, the transplant is scheduled quickly, which is essential when the disease needs to be consolidated.
- Close follow-up after discharge. Accommodation near the hospital is organized for the frequent check-ups of the first weeks.
- International protocols. The units apply European transplant standards and work in liaison with your hematologist.
Who is a bone marrow transplant for?
Autologous transplant
- multiple myeloma, after induction treatment;
- some relapsed or high-risk lymphomas.
Allogeneic transplant
- some high-risk or relapsed acute leukemias;
- myelodysplastic syndromes and some serious bone marrow diseases, such as aplastic anemia;
- some genetic blood diseases, such as thalassemia.
The indication is set by the transplant team, according to the disease, its response to treatment, age and general health.
How is a transplant prepared?
Pre-transplant assessment
Heart, lung, kidney and infection tests, to make sure you can receive the intensive treatment.
Finding a donor
For an allogeneic transplant, brothers and sisters are tested first: each has about a one-in-four chance of being a full match. Otherwise, a half-matched family donor or a registry donor may be considered.
Collecting the stem cells
The cells are most often collected from the blood, after a few injections that move them out of the marrow, by a machine that filters the blood for a few hours, without anesthesia.
How does a bone marrow transplant work?
Conditioning
Chemotherapy, sometimes combined with irradiation, destroys the diseased marrow over a few days.
Reinfusion
The stem cells are injected into a vein, like a transfusion, without surgery.
Engraftment
For 2 to 3 weeks, blood counts are very low: you stay in a protected room, with transfusions and treatments against infection, until the new marrow produces cells.
After an allogeneic transplant
Treatment prevents graft-versus-host disease, a reaction of the donor’s cells against the body, which is closely monitored during the first months.
How does your stay in Turkey work?
- You send your file. Your complete medical file: diagnosis, treatments received, latest tests, and family HLA typing if done. You receive an opinion and a quote.
- Assessment and preparation. Pre-transplant tests, donor tests, stem cell collection.
- Hospital stay. Conditioning, reinfusion and monitoring in a protected room for 3 to 4 weeks.
- Close follow-up. After discharge, frequent check-ups from accommodation near the hospital: a few days for an autologous transplant, several weeks for an allogeneic one.
- The return. With a complete file for your hematologist, who continues the follow-up.
Follow-up after the transplant
Follow-up is close in the first months: blood tests, infection checks and, after an allogeneic transplant, monitoring for graft-versus-host disease. Vaccinations are repeated after the transplant. Follow-up takes place near home, with your hematologist, in liaison with the transplant team.
What are the risks of the transplant?
A bone marrow transplant is a demanding but very well-supervised treatment: specialized teams prevent and treat most complications.
| Effect | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tiredness, nausea, mouth sores | During the hospital stay | Relieved by suitable care |
| Infections | Before engraftment | Prevented by the protected room and treatments |
| Graft-versus-host disease | After an allogeneic transplant | Closely monitored and treated with medication |
| Lasting tiredness | The first months | It improves gradually |
How to choose your center and quote?
A low price is not enough. Ask the hospital these questions before committing:
- Is the hospital authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health to treat international patients?
- Who will perform the transplant, and how experienced are they with this technique?
- How many transplants does the unit perform each year, and does it have protected rooms with filtered air?
- Does the quote include the donor tests and accommodation for follow-up after discharge?
- Who takes care of a complication, on site and after your return home?
- What medical follow-up is planned, and with whom?
What a good quote should specify
- The name of the hospital and the doctor
- The tests, anesthesia, hospital stay and medication included
- The number of nights in hospital and at the hotel, and the transfers
- What happens in case of complication or cancellation
- The follow-up offered after your return
Also budget for your flight and follow-up consultations. Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance: ask your insurer in writing before committing.
Take time to think, and be wary of any offer that pushes you to decide quickly.
Our partner hospitals in Turkey
Frequently asked questions about bone marrow transplants in Turkey
How much does a bone marrow transplant cost in Turkey?
The price depends mainly on the type of transplant: an autologous transplant costs much less than an allogeneic one. It is usually significantly lower than prices in Western Europe or North America. The exact price appears on your free quote, which should include donor tests and accommodation for follow-up.
What is the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplants?
In an autologous transplant, your own stem cells, collected before treatment, are reinfused: it is mainly used for myeloma and some lymphomas. In an allogeneic transplant, the cells come from a donor: the donor’s cells can also fight the disease, particularly in some leukemias.
Who can be a donor?
First brothers and sisters, who each have about a one-in-four chance of being a match. Otherwise, a half-matched parent or child, or a registry donor. The donor can come with you to Turkey for their tests and the collection.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Usually 3 to 4 weeks for an autologous transplant and 2 to 3 months for an allogeneic transplant, including close follow-up after discharge from hospital.
Is donating bone marrow dangerous for the donor?
No, in the vast majority of cases. The cells are most often collected from the blood, without anesthesia, after a few injections. The donor may feel temporary bone pain and returns to normal activities within a few days.
Which documents should I send to get an opinion?
Send the diagnosis report, treatments already received, the latest blood and bone marrow tests, and, if you have it, your family’s HLA typing.
Is a transplant in Turkey covered by insurance?
Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance systems, which generally only reimburse urgent and unforeseen care abroad. Some private insurers and international health plans do cover treatment abroad: ask your insurer in writing before committing, and keep all your invoices and medical reports.
Request a free medical opinion and quote
Send us your complete medical file: reports, imaging and test results. The medical team will review it, and you will receive a detailed medical opinion and an estimated quote.
