Demand for stem cell treatment likely to increase: Murali Krishna Voonna

Visakhapatnam: According to Indian Council of Medical Research, around 1.04 lakh blood and lymphatic malignancies were diagnosed, and the number is expected to increase to 1.32 lakh cases per annum by next year.

In future, many of the patients would require Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). These were some of the points highlighted by managing director and surgical oncologist of Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Murali Krishna Voonna at the conference 'MGBMTCON-2019' organised here on Sunday exclusively for the doctors.

Addressing the doctors, he said the donor of stem cells can be patient himself or HLA matched sibling or a random donor. With advanced technologies, he stated that effective treatment methods can be given to cancer patients to treat complex cancers, blood disorders like thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, aplastic anaemia and blood cancers. "It is the very reason, the hospital launched the Centre for Advanced Hematology and Hematology-Oncology unit (Bone Marrow Transplant)," he said.

The platform, Murali Krishna stated, aimed at spreading awareness about HSCT and the importance of pledging donation of stem cells. He observed that finding a match with the family for a need patient turns out to be difficult in 75 per cent of cases.

"Our endeavour in bringing the most effective treatment methods for patients in Coastal Andhra and neighbouring States will help enhance the healthcare system and reach out to needy patients," added Murali Krishna.