case study

Case Study 1 -

A 64 year old gentleman came in on a wheel chair with a fracture of the hip joint. After certain tests he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a form of bone marrow cancer). He had lost hope of living. I reassured him, administered chemotherapy to treat the cancer, to which he had a fantastic response. He was a fit retired policeman so we planned to do an Autologous (the stem cells are from the patients own blood) bone marrow transplantation. He was in hospital for 15 days in a special BMT (A clean room with special Air filters installed to block any fungal infection and dust particles) room at Apollo hospital. He went through the transplant with minimum complications and is now completely mobile - during last puja he rolled on the floor for 1 km to offer his gratitude.

A bone marrow transplant at the right time can change lives positively

Case Study 2 -

A 49 year old lady came in with severe weakness in the leg and inability to walk. An MRI scan showed a large mass at the bottom of her back. Biopsies confirmed this as a Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (A cancer of the lymph glands). She received 6 cycles of chemotherapy, which unfortunately relapsed in the brain. Radiotherapy was administered to the brain.

Since there was no disease elsewhere in the body, she underwent a high dose chemotherapy followed by an Autologous Stem cell transplant (When the stem cells are from the patients own blood) to ensure that the disease does not recur.

Lymphoma has high cure rates but resistant disease needs aggressive approach to cure patients. (was she cured eventually?)

Case Study 3 -

A 13 year old girl, a great traditional dancer had persistent sore throat and swollen glands. The doctor initially thought it was tonsillitis but her blood tests showed a very high white cell count and there were abnormal cells called blasts in her blood smear. She had leukaemia and when the parents heard this their world fell apart.

Leukaemia in children is curable and has excellent cure rates of up to 90%. She underwent chemotherapy according to a UK based protocol. She is still receiving chemotherapy but is in good health and cycles 5km everyday.

Yes it’s a difficult time for the family but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Case Study 4 -

19 yr old college going happy girl was feeling tired for the last few months. Her blood count was checked and was found to be severely anaemic with the Hb of 5g/dl. She was advised immediate admission and blood transfusion by a different doctor and had came to me for second opinion. I diagnosed her as severe iron deficiency anaemia due to unhealthy eating habits and heavy periods. Blood transfusion can be lifesaving, however, it is not without risks. I advised iron infusion and within 2 weeks her Hb was 10g/dl.

Blood transfusion is not the answer for all types of anaemia. Its life saving in many situations but unnecessary transfusion poses risks.

Case Study 5 -

A 25yr old female came with bleeding from her gums and purpura (bleeding spots under the skin.). She was worried she had blood cancer. She had a history of fever 7 days prior to the visit and her blood count showed very low platelet count ( Platelets are small cells that help our blood clot). Thankfully all the other cells were normal. She had a bone marrow test done, which was healthy. She was diagnosed with ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia), a condition when our body’s immune system destroys its own platelets. This can happen after a viral infection and generally responds very well to steroid treatment as was her case. She had normal counts in 2 weeks and remains well to date.

Warning symptoms should be taken seriously as early treatment can be life saving