Medically Reviewed By: Dr. David Warmflash (MD), Dr. Shelley Janssen (MD, MBA)
A Quick Guide to Stem Cell Procedures Abroad
Stem cell therapy is becoming popular abroad because of its ability to treat many diseases. You’ll find that many of these treatments are still not available in the U.S. Read through this column to know everything about regenerative medicine in other countries.
Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis: Patient Testimonial
Why Should You Choose Stem Cell Therapies Abroad?
Many stem cell procedures may not be available in your country yet. It is because of a lacking framework that has slowed the approval process. At the same time, other countries are fast-tracking the research on the latest approaches.
Trials are ongoing around the world to test their safety and efficacy.
Many people solve their health issues from this safe and legal procedure abroad. If you choose to get this therapy abroad, the benefits are
- Seeking treatment in a foreign country might be a daunting task for you. We are here to clear any doubts about healthcare options abroad.
- The healthcare sector has made great advances worldwide. The hospitals abroad offer state-of-the-art infrastructure.
- You'll receive treatments with the latest technologies at affordable costs, and a skilled workforce will look after you.
- The doctors and other medical staff at these facilities are highly qualified.
- Mexico and India have legal and certified hospitals. Also, the doctors are highly skilled in handling your health problems. COFEPRIS regulates Giostar in Mexico.
- In India, Giostar holds accreditations by GMP and the ISO. Giostar has also signed an MoU with the Government of India to provide stem cell therapy in various parts of the country.
Healthcare bills in countries like Mexico are almost a fraction of the cost in America. The treatments can cost you nearly 70% cheaper than the USA.[1]
Many treatments abroad come with lesser out-of-pocket charges. It is helpful for you if you're on a small budget.
Mexico has virtually no wait time for most surgeries.[2] You can get your issues looked at within a few days or even the same day in some cases. The procedure is hassle-free.
It'll make your journey to good health less physically and mentally exhausting.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy generates healthy cells in place of diseased cells. The procedure uses these cells or their derivatives for treatment.[3]
The Procedure of Stem Cell Therapy
Here is a simple description of how the procedure works
The initial stage is known as the mobilization stage. It involves an infusion of drugs to move the stem cells from the bone marrow to the bloodstream.
Once the blood test shows enough stem cells in the bloodstream, the harvesting of stem cells takes place. This stage is done approximately ten days after mobilization. Alternatively, bone marrow can be drawn from an individual, and stem cells harvested from that marrow.
The hospital then stores the stem cells in a freezing environment for later use.
In this stage, your body goes through another round of chemotherapy known as conditioning chemotherapy. It aims to destroy the damaged cells. This chemotherapy prepares the body for treatment.
The final stage involves implanting harvested stem cells back into the body. The process takes place after a few days of conditioning chemotherapy.
Reimplanting the stem cells takes 2-3 hours and is similar to having a blood transfusion. The new cells may take 10-30 days to start generating new cells.
Uses of Stem Cells
Many uses of stem cells have been proposed.
These include:
- Cardiovascular disease treatment
- Brain disease treatment
- Cell deficiency therapy
- Blood disease treatment
Of the categories listed above, blood diseases are the area for which stem cell therapy is most developed. The type of technique for the treatment will depend on the kind of illness you have.
Stem Cell Applications
Types of Stem Cells
Check out the following types of stem cells that have different purposes.[4]
| Type | Source | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Embryonic Stem Cells | 5-6 day embryo (Blastocyst)
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| Adult Stem Cells | Developed organs and tissues in the body like bone marrow or fat cells
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| Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSC) | Genetically altered adult stem cells
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| Cord Blood Stem Cells | Umbilical cord after childbirth
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Recent Developments in Stem Cell Therapy
Utilization of connective tissue-generating stem cells to treat joint disorders, such as osteoarthritis, does not, at least yet, rest on a solid foundation of clinical research. While stem cell options for these disorders are growingly popular, with clinical reports showing that such treatments are not likely to be dangerous, the jury is still out regarding whether and to what degree the therapies are helpful.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy
- Stem cell therapy cost in Mexico and India is lower than in the USA and Canada. However, this does not affect the quality of the treatment offered to you.
- The actual cost varies depending on your interests, type of stem cells, source of stem cells, and the procedure.
Countries That Offer Stem Cell Therapies
Finding a trustworthy hospital in an unfamiliar country can be difficult. Therefore, we're here to help you choose the best hospitals abroad for your treatment.
MEXICO
1. Booming Medical Tourism
- Mexico is a famous destination for medical tourism. In March 2020 alone, around 728,000 people visited Mexico to get their medical treatments done.[5]
- The World Travel and Tourism Council President and CEO, Gloria Guevara Manzo, said Mexico is an excellent world-class destination.[6]
Cancun, Mexico
2. Legal Procedure
- Stem cell therapy in Mexico is safe and legal. The COFEPRIS overlooks stem cell procedures in Mexico.[7]
- Due to the growing awareness around medicine, Mexico has fast-tracked research around stem cell therapies.
- This framework has made it possible for these therapies to be accessible to people worldwide.
3. Treatments
You can seek stem cell therapy for many health conditions.
- For Pain Management: Knee Pain, Spinal Cord Injury, Back Pain, Hip Pain, and Shoulder.
Stem Cells for Chronic Pain
- For Anti-Aging and Performance
- Diseases: Parkinson's Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Erectile Dysfunction, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Liver Diseases, Diabetes, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Autism, Neuropathy, Muscular Dystrophy, Kidney Disease, COVID-19 and Heart Diseases.
4. Cost-Effective
The cost of the treatment will depend upon the disease and the type of treatment. For example, the average cost of treating knee pain using stem cell therapy at Giostar Mexico ranges from $8,000 to $15,000.
5. Travel
There are many travel options to choose from to reach Mexico. You can get to Mexico by flight, bus, or car.
| Mode of Transport | Information |
|---|---|
| Flights |
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| Bus |
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| Road (Car) |
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6. Accommodation
Planning a trip to Mexico but worried about accommodation costs? Don't worry! Hotels in Mexico aren't costly. At lower prices, you can get accommodations with incredible comforts.
We recommend you stay close to the hospital when considering treatment at Giostar, Mexico. Some hotels near our facility are Cielito Lindo, California Comfort and Suites, and Hacienda Los Algodones.
INDIA
1. Quality of Healthcare
- We understand your concerns about getting a treatment done in an unknown country.
- India is ranked 10th out of the top 46 countries globally in the Medical Tourism Index 2020-21.[8]
The nation stands out for its high-quality healthcare at low prices. The hospitals in India are equipped with the latest technologies. - The highly qualified doctors will provide you with the best possible treatment.
2. Low Cost of Treatment
- The cost of stem cell therapies in India is much lower than USA and Canada. You can save almost 70% of the price back in the USA. The cost of treatment may range between $1000 to $30,000.
- The final amount may depend on the type of treatment.
- However, lower prices do not affect the quality of the treatment provided to you.
3. No Language Barrier
- Language barriers and communication gaps should take a back seat in your list of troubles. India has a large English-speaking workforce that is highly skilled.[9]
- Many doctors and nurses speak English fluently. Moreover, our hospitals can also provide the services of translators if needed.
4. Approved Treatments
- Procedures like bone marrow transplants have approval for treating blood cancer and other blood-related diseases in India.
- Doctors also use stem cell therapy for treating diabetes,[10]COVID-19[11]osteoarthritis, and many other problems.
Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in India
- Moreover, Giostar India is compliant with regulatory authorities like GMP and ISO.
5. Treatments Available
- India offers approved stem cell therapies for many diseases.
Stem Cell Therapy for Hair Loss
- You can seek treatment for medical conditions like Hair Loss, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Knee Injuries, Liver Disease, Osteoarthritis, Sports injuries, and many more.
- Giostar uses autologous stem cells from the patient's body for treatment. They are safe and effective in nature.
6. Travel Options
- Travelling to India is not as expensive as you may think. You can get tickets for lower prices if you book well in advance for international air travel.
- There are many flights connecting the USA to India. Airlines like United Airlines, Air India and Emirates offer flexible cancellation policies.
- We can help you choose airlines and timings as per your needs.
| City | Airport Code | Category | Flight Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | DEL | Non-Stop | 14h 05m+ |
| Ahmedabad | AMD | One-Stop | 18h 05m+ |
| Chandigarh | IXC | One-Stop | 20h 55m+ |
7. Accommodation
- India's living costs are very low compared to the USA and Canada. The hotels provide great amenities and services. Many hotels within our network can provide 24-hour nursing and care.
- There are also many retreat facilities you can stay at to relax and unwind after your treatment. We can assist you in booking comfortable hotels as per your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A research published in The American Journal of Medicine stated that Mexico and India rank amongst the top 10 destinations for medical tourism.[12]
Mexico, India, Spain, Thailand, and many other countries have legal stem cell treatment facilities.
The cost depends upon the type of treatment and the hospital you choose. At Giostar, Mexico, the average cost of stem cell therapy for knee pain will range from $8,000 to $15,000.
Stem cell therapy is not covered by insurance yet, due to the lack of awareness around the treatment. Even so, we are happy to guide you through costs and payment options over a phone call.
For any medical procedure, the patient's safety and well-being are of utmost importance. At Giostar, Mexico, the directors assess each applicant's viability via a health history form. The team will provide you with a safe environment for your treatment.
Many studies have shown that stem cell therapy for knee pain is very promising. Trials have concluded that it can clinically and functionally improve the condition of knee osteoarthritis.[13]
Some side effects of stem cell therapy are nausea and vomiting, infections, reaction on the injection site, bleeding, and transfusion.[14]
Conclusion
Many safe and legal treatments are available for a wide range of diseases. In addition to that, getting stem cell therapy abroad can save you a lot of money. We can help you get high-quality and affordable treatments abroad.
References
- Ecole des Commerces: Why is surgery cheaper in Mexico?
- Mexlaw: Expats Have Access To Healthcare in Mexico on 3 Levels
- Mayo Clinic: Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do
- Healthline: Stem Cell Research
- PR Newswire: Medical Tourism Mexico: High Quality, Affordable Prices
- The Mazatlan Post: The WTTC grants safe travel seals to Mexico
- Giostar: Stem cell therapy safety and legality in Mexico
- Financial Express: Medical value tourism in India
- Harvard Business Review: Covid-19 Disrupts Global Supply Chains
- Cision PR News: GIOSTAR Launches Stem Cell Center in Chandigarh, India
- Mint: Coronavirus : Stem cells offer a ray of hope in battle against covid-19
- TAJM: Medical Tourists: Incoming and Outgoing
- NCBI: Stem Cells for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
- Cancer.net: Side Effects of a Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplant)