Young Girl's Journey for a Cure: Bone Marrow Transplant at Apollo Cancer Center

 

Navi Mumbai: The 'Apollo Cancer Centre' in Navi Mumbai (ACCNM) has made a significant medical breakthrough by successfully treating a 14-month-old girl from Kenya with a 'Bone Marrow Transplant' (BMT) to cure her Sickle Cell Disease. This genetic condition leads to abnormally shaped red blood cells, causing complications like severe anaemia, recurring episodes of intense pain, frequent infections, and, in severe cases, stroke and end organ damage. These symptoms result in a heavy emotional and financial toll on affected families.

The young patient, struggling with recurrent pain crises and requiring regular blood transfusions, found new hope at ACCNM. Dr. Vipin Khandelwal, Consultant Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist at ACCNM, evaluated her condition and recommended BMT as a potential cure. Luckily, the girl's 11-year-old brother turned out to be a perfect 'Human Leukocyte Antigen' (HLA) match, ensuring a compatible bone marrow transplant and significantly boosting the chances of a successful outcome.

Dr. Khandelwal explained, "BMT offers a potential cure for Sickle Cell Disease, unlike other treatments that primarily manage symptoms. With a matched sibling donor, the success rate of achieving disease-free survival is over 90%, which drastically improves the long-term outcomes for these patients".

During the procedure, the medical team harvested stem cells from the brother's bone marrow under anaesthesia and infused them into the patient. These stem cells were expected to take over the production of healthy red blood cells in the young girl's body. Though the procedure itself was successful, the girl experienced common post-transplant complications such as neutropenic fever and mucositis, which were effectively managed by the medical team.

Follow-up blood tests showed 100% donor cell engraftment, confirming that the transplanted stem cells were functioning properly and producing healthy red blood cells. This marked a significant milestone in the young girl's journey toward recovery and a life free from Sickle Cell Disease.

Mr. Santosh Marathe, Regional CEO - Western Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, stated, "This case is a testament to the respect and fame that ACCNM has throughout the world for its expertise in pediatric haematology and oncology. With a dedicated and expert medical team supported by advanced medical infrastructure, we are proud to be at the forefront of medical innovation and remain committed to offering hope and advanced treatment options to patients with challenging conditions like Sickle Cell Disease".

This successful BMT case at ACCNM not only provides hope to other families dealing with similar health challenges but also underscores the importance of advanced medical techniques and the impact of dedicated healthcare teams in improving the quality of life for patients with complex conditions.