First rare transplant successfully completed in North Maharashtra

HCG Manavata Cancer Care Hospital achieved yet another surgical milestone with a successful ‘half-matched’ Bone Marrow Transplant performed on a ten-year-old patient, suffering with Thalassemia. This is the first time such a rare transplant surgery was performed in Maharashtra (apart from Mumbai) and Dr. Raj Nagarkar, Managing Director & Chief of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Services, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Haematologist Dr. Priyatesh Dwivedi and Dr. Ambar Garg were the lead on this surgery. The patient was stable when they first visited HCG Manavata Cancer Centre for an expert’s opinion with a medical history of Thalassemia Major, but the patient required 1 or 2-unit blood transfusions every month.

Speaking on this case, Dr. Raj Nagarkar, Managing Director & Chief of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Services, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre said, “The blood formation process is disrupted in the body of children suffering from thalassemia. So, they need external blood transfusion, but frequent transfusion of blood causes accumulation of iron in the body causing adverse effects over time. Secondly, external blood transfusion cannot be a life-long solution, especially for children. In such a situation bone marrow transplant is the only option and if the blood samples of the family members are completely matched (full match), such children can easily undergo a bone marrow transplant. But if the blood samples of the family match up to fifty percent (half match) then transplantation is risky. In this case, the patient was a half match but the parents show faith in us and our expert panel of doctors, to pull off this surgery successfully.”

Adding to this Dr. Priyatesh Dwivedi, Consultant – Hemato-oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre said, “While doing bone marrow transplant in this type of half match, there is a 50 percent chance of fatality. But with the help our well-equipped Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and trained staff, we undertook the challenge. After Mumbai, only Nashik in the State has succeeded in such a rare transplant.”

Dr. Ambar Garg, Consultant- Hematology oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre said, “By successfully treating potential problems arising from external blood transfusion, children can be given a new direction in life. Along with Chief Minister’s Assistance Fund other government schemes support can be availed for Bone Marrow Transplant.”

Thanking the doctors, Latha (name changed), patient’s parent said, “We were devastated to learn my child’s condition from the doctors. The doctors explained the bone marrow transplant procedure, which gave us hope for my child’s recovery. I want to thank all the doctors at HCG for their efforts in helping my child recuperate from this condition.”

Bone Marrow Transplant can be done at very low cost and a successful transplant will bring relief to many such thalassemia children. Parents of thalassemia patients should consider bone marrow transplantation as a treatment option.