FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about our clinical grade MSC concentrate with stem cells treatments

General information

Where is the treatment performed?
All treatments are performed at the Elisées International clinics. This treatment is not offered anywhere else.

How much does it cost?
The price varies depending upon the implantation method(s) employed. Standard Procedere and prices are individuall will be determined on a case-by-case basis. There may be additional charges for special cases such as those involving general anesthesia, multiple implantation methods or infected bone marrow samples (HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C).

Does the price include flights and hotel?
No. The price does not include travel expenses such as air fares, meals, or hotels.

How long will I be in the clinic?
For most procedures, you will be going in and out of the clinic for 6-10 days. Severe conditions might require 14-21 days. However, for surgical procedures, the trip might be slightly longer and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Will I be hospitalized?
For most procedures, bone marrow collection is out-patient procedures. You will return to your hotel following each procedure. For the re-injection of concentrate with stem cells patients will spent one night in the hospital. However, hospitalization is available for those who require specialized care (at an additional cost). Heart patients will spend one night in the hospital following their bone marrow implantation. Surgery patients typically spend a few days in the hospital following their procedure.

Do they speak English at Elisées International?
Yes. Besides English, the Elisées International has employees speaking the following languages: Chinese, Japanese Russian and Arabic. For other languages the Elisées clinic can organize native speakers.

How does stem cell therapy work?
The biological task of stem cells is to repair and regenerate damaged cells. Stem cell therapy exploits this function by administering these cells systematically and in high concentrations directly into the damaged tissue or near the damage, where they advance its self-healing. The process that lies behind this mechanism is largely unknown, but it is assumed that stem cells discharge certain substances which activate the diseased tissue. It is also conceivable that single damaged somatic cells, e.g. single neurocytes in the spinal cord or endothelium cells in vessels, are replaced by stem cells. Most scientists agree that stem cell research has great life-saving potential and could revolutionize the study and treatment of diseases and injuries.

Are there ethical concerns surrounding adult stem cell research and therapy?
We do not use Embryonic stem cells in our treatments so there are no ethical or moral concerns.

Bone Marrow Collection (BMC)

How does the doctor collect my bone marrow?
About 150-200 ml of your bone marrow is collected from your hip bone by thin-needle mini-puncture using local anesthesia. For children, bone marrow collection is performed under general anesthesia.

Does it hurt?
Some patients experience slight discomfort or pain, but nothing severe. The next day, you may have a small bruise at the needle insertion point.

How long does bone marrow collection usually take?
BMC usually takes 30 – 60 minutes.

What is bone marrow? Why does it contain stem cells?
Bone marrow is a specific tissue found inside bones. Its main purpose is to produce stem cells, which give rise to the various blood cell types, especially the white blood cells, the red blood cells and the platelets. Each stem cell can form millions of additional stem cells. Most stem cells are found in the bone marrow of the chest, hips, skull, upper arms and legs. If the stem cells develop into fully functional cells, they are released into the blood. A smaller number of undifferentiated stem cells are also found in the bloodstream.

Stem Cell Implantation

How much bone marrow will I get?
It is impossible to predict how much bone marrow a patient will receive.

What if I don’t get enough bone marrow?
In the rare case that your sample does not contain enough bone marrow, it might be possible to do another bone marrow collection. The price of an additional bone marrow collection is 3,000 US Dollars. The doctors will discuss this option with you if another collection is deemed necessary.

How does the doctor implant my stem cells?
The method of bone marrow fluid implantation depends on your condition. There are four different ways of administering bone marrow fluids:

  • Intravenous administration
  • Administration via catheter using angiography
  • Direct injection into the target area by way of surgery
  • Retrobulbar Injection
  • Direct injection in the affected area such as a knee joint

    What are the risks of adult stem cell therapy?
    Usually autologous (from the patient’s own cells) bone marrow fluid therapy is free of long-term adverse affects. However, all surgery bears certain risks, from the anesthetic, infection, temporary discomfort, bleeding or wound healing problems. The benefits and possible side-effects vary from one disease to the next and between individuals. This should be discussed in detail with the transplant specialist involved in your case.

I heard that injected stem cells could develop into tumors. Is that true?
There is the risk that bone marrow fluids not only support the regeneration of diseased somatic cells, but also the increase of tumor cells. This risk is greater with the cancerous prone and fast-growing embryonic stem cells than with adult stem cells, especially if embryonic stem cells are injected without prior differentiation. Animal testing has not yet found any cancer-causing potential in bone marrow fluids such as those exclusively used in the clinic.

Medical Evaluation

Is it possible to treat me? How do I get evaluated for treatment?
Step 1: Please fill out our Treatment Inquiry Form

Step 2: One of our patient representatives will contact you by email and / or telephone. You will receive an email with more information and a form of our Medical Information Form (MIF).

Treatment Scheduling

What is a typical treatment schedule?
Typically, your bone marrow will be collected on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Your implantation procedure will then be on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that same week. Most patients can return home one day after their bone marrow fluids implantation. Surgery patients typically stay for a few days following treatment.

Travel Information

Does Elisées International assist patients with booking flights and hotels?
We offer free hotel booking assistance through a travel agent. On request they can support you with airline tickets as well.

How can I get from the airport to my hotel and then to the clinic and back?
The Elisées International provides private ground transportation to and from hotels as part of all treatments. There is a  modest charge for transportation to and from airports.

Are meals expensive?
Restaurant prices in Thailand are very inexpensive compared to prices in large European and US cities.

What is the weather like?
Thailand has a pleasant climate with warm summers, mild winters and an average annual rainfall of 760 millimeters (30 inches): between 50 and 75 millimeters (two and three inches) each month. Average temperatures range from around 1° Celsius (34° Fahrenheit) in January to 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit) in July and August.

Payment

How do I pay for treatment?
We prefer that you pay for the deposit by wire transfer at least 14 days before your treatment begins or pay by international bank draft upon arrival at the clinic.

We will provide you with wire transfer instructions. You can also pay at the clinic by major credit card (extra fees apply), traveler’s checks or cash.

Payment must be made in-full before your treatment can begin. A small deposit is usually required in order to schedule treatment.