Bone-marrow Transplantation

A Thalassemic's bone marrow is not able to make a normal amount of red blood cells. If the malfunctioning bone marrow can be replaced with a normal bone marrow, this problem is solved.

At present, only young people with a fully compatible donor can have a bone-marrow transplant. A transplant in Pakistan (Zia-ud-Din Hospital, Karachi) or India (Apollo Hospital, Chennai) costs the equivalent of $13,000 to $14,000 (Pak Rs. 9-10 Lakh). A transplant in any other country may vary in cost.

Life Expectancy:

A difficult question perhaps, but Thalassemic’s and their families must be aware of this subject. The illness and its implications are changing almost from day to day, due to advances in treatment. With timely and correct treatment, Thalassemic’s live longer and healthier now. It is reasonable to think that people with Thalassemia, well treated from the beginning, may live as long as people without Thalassemia, mean an excellent life-expectancy.

Quality of life:

A chronic illness always causes some limitation of life, especially when it requires frequent and complex treatment, as Thalassemia does.

But still, the treatment should not be allowed to have a profound effect on a Thalassemic's life. In particular doctors and hospitals should make the effort to arrange out-patients visits for transfusions so that they interfere as little as possible with normal life. Treatment should not interrupt schooling or work. To manage this, some centers arrange transfusions on week-ends, others in late afternoon or at night.

Apart from a few cases, most Thalassemic’s lead a normal life. They go to school, take part in social activities and work, get engaged, and get married like everyone else. We are certain that, as time passes, the quality of life will steadily improve.

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