96% in India without bone marrow transplants

Blood and bone marrow disorders include a wide range of cancerous and non-cancerous ailments affecting both adults and children in India. Dr Parinitha Gutha, consultant paediatric hematology and oncology, American Oncology Institute says, “About 10,000 children are born with Thalassemia major every year and approximately 4,000 Thalassemia patients are registered with various centres.”

“There is good news for children as there is permanent cure with bone marrow transplant,” she added. The doctor was speaking at the launch of a comprehensive hemato oncology and blood & Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) programme for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Friday.

About three lakh children are affected with cancer around the world and 0.5 per cent are paediatric cancers. Eighty per cent of paediatric cancers are cured in the western world. In India however even 50 per cent are not cured.

Dr SK Gupta, consultant clinical hematology &BMT says, “A blood disorder is a condition in which there is a problem with red blood cells, white blood cells, or the smaller, circulating cells called platelets, which are critical for clot formation.

All three cell types form in the bone marrow, which is the soft tissue inside bones. Red blood cells transport oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. White blood cells help the body fight infections. Platelets help blood to clot and stop bleeding. Blood disorders impair the formation and function of one or more of these types of blood cells.”

Fresh lease of life
RK is a 23-year-old male, diagnosed with -Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February 2012 and he received chemotherapy until April 2014. He was in remission for 23 months and relapsed in March 2016. He received two cycles of chemotherapy from August 2016 and underwent stem cell transplantation in January, 2017. Dr Anil Aribandi from American Oncology Institute performed the allogenic transplantation. His received stem cells from his younger brother. Now RK is on the path to recovery.

Sumeet, a 10-year old from Bidar was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia is now recovering fast. Sumeet was diagnosed of blood disorder called Aplastic Anemia. He needed a stem cell transplant urgently. Mallikarjun, SG’s father, has been matched as a donor for BMT. Dr S K Gupta from American oncology performed an allogenic Bone Marrow Transplant and Sumeet is on the path of recovery post the procedure.