Mangaluru: The first successful Bone Marrow transplantation at KSHEMA was performed on a 55-year-old patient suffering from Multiple Myeloma.

The advanced medical procedure Autologous Stem Cell transplantation was performed by Dr. Vijith Shetty, consultant medical oncologist and his team at at Leela Narayan Shetty Cancer Centre of K S Hegde Hospital, Deralakatte.

Jayanth (Name changed) 55-year-old person from Beltangady, was suffering from severe backache and anemia since three years and was subsequently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (Blood cancer) at KSHEMA.

Multiple myeloma is a kind of blood cancer, a condition which arises from the bone marrow due to abnormal proliferation of atypical plasma cells which ultimately affects normal hematopoesis, causes Renal failure and causes fractures in the bones.

An Autologous BMT is an advanced procedure performed to prolong Survival in patients affected by Multiple Myeloma in both upfront & relapse setting, Relapse – Hodgkins & Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

The three essential steps in performing a Autologous BMT are as follows:

First Step – To mobilise stem cells from Patient’s Bone Marrow to the peripheral blood stream & harvesting, collecting & storing the stem cells from Peripheral blood.
Second Step – Patient undergoes high dose chemotherapy to eliminate the malignant cells.
Third Step – Stored Stem Cells of the patient are reinfused to the patient, which subsequently homes into the bone marrow &starts producing normal cells.

Prof Dr Shantaram Shetty, pro-chancellor Nitte deemed to be University claimed that this advanced facility was previously available only at major Oncology centres in Bengaluru in the state, now this is admirable that this kind of advanced medical procedure is available at K S Hegde Hospital.

Prof. Dr. Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, vice-chancellor Nitte deemed to be University stressed that performing Stem Cell transplant is a challenge in patients above 50 years of age and he was glad that department of Medical Oncology took up this challenging case and provided relief to patient suffering from his debilitating condition.

K S Hegde Medical Academy dean Prof. Dr P S Prakash congratulated the team of Oncologists who performed the procedure.

Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital medical superintendent Maj Dr Shivakumar Hiremath expressed happiness over the fact that this advanced treatment was provided absolotely/totally free of cost to this patient under Aroghya Bhagya Scheme.

Prof Dr Jayaprakash Shetty, vice-dean (Admin) KSHEMA, Prof Dr Jayarama Shetty, HOD department of Radiation Oncology were present.