Department of Medical Oncology, Hemato-oncology And BMT
The Department of Medical Oncology, Haemato-Oncology, and BMT at Gleneagles Hospitals is known for its superior patient care and clinical outcomes. The team of oncologists, physicians, and other specialists is collectively dedicated to providing top-class patient services. Our team of doctors and surgeons is trained at renowned institutions. With the latest technology, skilled physicians, compassionate staff, and well-equipped wards, Gleneagles Hospitals provide care for all patients. Gleneagles Hospitals strive to provide quality care, exceeding patients' expectations.
Medical Oncology
Medical oncologists work together with the surgeons and radiotherapists in deciding the treatment and delivering it. The team efforts help the patient receive an effective care and best possible quality of life.
The team of oncologists, physicians and other specialists are collectively dedicated to provide top-class services for patients suffering from various types of cancer. Our team of doctors and surgeons are trained from renowned institution. Every year our team of doctors provides care and treatment for over more than 2000 odd children and adults suffering from various cancers and also many complex cancers with utmost dedication and commitment.
TYPES OF CANCER
LUNG & BRONCHIAL CANCER: Smoking and use of tobacco is the major cause of lung and bronchial cancer. it is the top killer cancer in the world.
BREAST CANCER: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, after skin cancer. This cancer usually forms in the glands that produce milk in women.
PANCREATIC CANCER: Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas and it interferes in the process of digestion and metabolism regulation.
COLON & RECTAL CANCER: Colon cancer grows in the tissues of the colon and the rectal cancer develops towards the end of the large intestine near the anus.
OVARIAN CANCER: This cancer is easy to treat but hard to detect in the early stages. According to the recent research a few signs that may aid in diagnosis are abdominal discomfort, urgency to urinate and pelvic pain.
CERVICAL CANCER: Cervical cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells present on the surface of the cervix. They are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), a common virus that is spread through sexual intercourse.
Haemato-Oncology
The blood is composed of four components: white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. These components work together to transport oxygen to organs and tissues, acting as a protective agent to guard against infections and to form blood clots to stop bleeding. However, they also contain abnormal invaders acting as a cancer-causing agent. This is where haematology oncology comes in.
The medical speciality that deals with diseases connected to the blood is known as haematology. The area of medicine known as oncology is concerned with the identification, management, and prevention of certain cancers. All types of blood cancers, which account for up to 10% of all cancers worldwide, are covered under haemato-oncology. A haemato-oncologist is a specialist who handles these conditions. Haemato-oncology involves conditions such as leukaemia, anaemia, haemophilia, lymphomas, and cancer of various organs.
Haemato-oncologists at Gleneagles Hospital
The haemato-oncologists at Gleneagles Hospital have a great deal of expertise in their specialities and have conducted extensive work both in India and abroad. They have received extensive training in the transplantation of haematopoietic stem cells. Our multidisciplinary team, consisting of lab haematopathologists, haemato-oncologists, and lab technicians, is properly equipped and trained to provide the best care while considering the delicate nature of the patients' medical conditions.
What Symptoms Require a Haemato Oncologist's Consultation?
Although no two blood cancers are the same, they all exhibit some common symptoms that indicate it's time to consult with a haemato-oncologist. Here are some of the warning signs and symptoms of blood cancer:
- Tiredness
- Chest Pain
- Weight loss
- Frequent fevers and chills
- Lower appetite
- Abdominal feeling of heaviness
- Blood clots
- Nasal and gum bleeding
- Several blue marks across the body
- Require blood transfusions on a regular basis
- Recurrent serious infections
The dept of haematology provides state of the art care for wide spectrum of diseases including:
- Acute leukaemia
- Adrenoleukodystrophy
- Aplastic anaemia
- Bone marrow failure syndromes
- Chronic leukaemia
- Hemoglobinopathies
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Immuno deficiencies
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Plasma cell disorders
- Primary amyloidosis
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Bone Marrow is usually found in the large bones of the body. Their function is to produce different types of blood cells. Bone Marrow Transplantation is a procedure, where the diseased Bone Marrow is replaced with a healthy one. This healthy Bone Marrow can be harvested from a donor, or the patient himself. This treatment is usually performed in patients who have Blood Cancers or any other disease that affects the structure and function of the Bone Marrow.
At Gleneagles Hospitals, we understand the intricacies of this kind of niche procedure, the success of which depends upon the quality of the harvest, the technique of transfusion, and the Post-transplantation care of the patient to prevent complications. Hence, we have set up a state-of-the-art laboratory and requisite transfusion facilities to provide the best-in-class service to people opting for Bone Marrow Transplantation.
The Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant at Gleneagles Hospitals is a centre of excellence that has created a record of successful treatment with superior care. Our doctors and technicians are well-trained and possess several years of experience in this field of work. We aim at making a difference in your life by providing you with our best treatment to help you lead a healthy life.
In a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) it is the HSCs which are Transplanted to replace damaged or diseased cells in the Marrow with the cells of a normal person. This is called an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT). A Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), also called a Stem Cell Transplant, is a procedure in which diseased or damaged Bone Marrow cells are replaced with healthy ones. This procedure is performed after a patient has high-dose Chemotherapy or Radiation. Conditions successfully treated with BMT include Cancers, such as Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma and solid Tumours, as well as Aplastic Anaemia.
Indications of Bone Marrow Transplantation
Below mentioned disorders are treated by Bone Marrow Transplantation:
THALASSEMIA: Thalassemia is a genetic or inherited Blood Disorder that involves the formation of abnormal Haemoglobin. The disorder causes the destruction of a large number of Red Blood Cells leading to severe Anaemia.
APLASTIC ANAEMIA: Aplastic Anaemia is a condition in which the body stops producing new blood cells.
MULTIPLE MYELOMAS: Multiple Myeloma is the Cancer of the Plasma Cells; the cells responsible for producing the antibodies that help fight infections. In Multiple Myeloma, the release of an excess protein called Immunoglobulin causes Organ Damage.
LYMPHOMAS: Lymphoma is a form of Blood Cell Tumour where the Cancer develops in the Lymphocytes (infection-fighting cells of the Immune System).
LEUKEMIA: Leukaemia is a Cancer of the Bone Marrow or the blood. It involves abnormal production of the blood cells, especially Leukocytes.
With the latest technology, skilled physicians, compassionate staff and well equipped wards Gleneagles Hospitals provide care for all the patients. Gleneagles Hospitals strive to provide quality care and it exceeds patients’ expectations.
The treatment provided is accessible, cost-effective and convenient. The hospital is well equipped with a good infrastructure.
Diagnostic Procedures Performed
A haemato-oncologist will conduct a series of tests on a patient exhibiting these symptoms to determine their source and any potential association with cancer. These procedures may include blood tests, bone marrow examinations, diagnostic imaging studies, and others.
The diagnostic tests include:
- PET scans
- MRI scans are used to determine the stage of myelomas and lymphomas.
- Immunophenotyping (a technique used to examine the protein expressed by cells)
- Molecular tests to check for mutations
- Cytogenetics is used to examine chromosomal alterations in cancer cells.
- Histopathology and biopsies
Why Choose Gleneagles Hospital?
The Department of Haemato-oncology at Gleneagles Hospital is dedicated to improving the prognosis for patients by developing cutting-edge treatment strategies based on a solid understanding of the biology of the condition. Our highly specialised team, which includes radiation oncologists and haemato-oncologists, offers modern therapies for a range of cancers, including lymphomas, leukaemia, and multiple myelomas.
Treatments at Gleneagles Hospital
A haematologist-oncologist must customise each patient's blood cancer treatment individually, as they would for any other type of cancer. The type of blood cancer, its stage, and other factors affecting the patient's overall health will influence the treatment approach.
Intensive Treatment Options
To limit the spread of cancer cells, intensive treatment, a form of specialised medical care, is employed. It involves the use of potent drugs to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Common examples of intensive treatment include:
- High-dosage Chemotherapy: This method uses a high dosage of medication to destroy cancer cells.
- Standard Chemotherapy: The administration of medications that destroy cancer cells and prevent the growth of infected cells.
- Stem Cell Transplantation: In this procedure, cancerous cells in the bone marrow or lymph nodes are eradicated using high doses of chemotherapy drugs. The body is then provided with fresh stem cells through intravenous infusion, either from a donor or the patient. These new stem cells will subsequently regenerate healthy blood cells.
- Radiotherapy: This involves the use of targeted radioactive rays to eliminate cancer cells in a specific area of the body.
- Surgery: Surgery is less common but may be necessary in some cases, such as a splenectomy to remove the spleen.
Non-intensive Treatment Options
Such therapies are gentler on the body and have fewer adverse effects. While these approaches may not always lead to complete eradication of cancer, they can help maintain cancer cells in remission and preserve physical stability for a period. The following are some examples of non-intensive treatments:
- Chemotherapy with a lower dose: To destroy malignant cells and prevent their proliferation, chemotherapy medications are administered at a lower dosage.
- Immunotherapy or biotherapy: These are medications designed to strengthen the immune system, enabling the body to combat malignant cells and keep them under control.
- Curative treatment: In cases where doctors believe that patients may not be able to tolerate powerful treatments due to specific compatibility issues, they may provide low-risk treatments. While these treatments may not completely eradicate all cancer cells, they can effectively keep them under control for an extended period. The benefits of such therapy include fewer side effects and minimal risks.
- Non-curative treatments: These treatments can be either harsh or very gentle. While they do not aim to cure cancer, they can keep the disease in remission and control the symptoms. They are more like maintenance programs.
- Supportive care: In addition to non-intensive or intensive treatment, patients should receive supportive care. These medications aid in better symptom control and make the experience a bit easier, but they do not actively combat the cancer cells.
- Palliative care: Such care can improve symptom management and help maintain a good quality of life despite all obstacles.
For individuals with lymphomas or myeloma, a larger spectrum of treatments is necessary, including:
Bone marrow transplantation: A medical procedure called a haematopoietic stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant repairs bone marrow that has been damaged or destroyed by an infection, chemotherapy, or illness. During this surgery, blood stem cells are transferred into the bone marrow, where they help the bone marrow regenerate and manufacture fresh blood cells.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy. It is a modern cancer treatment that enhances the body's natural defences against cancer. To boost and restore the immune system's ability to recognise and eliminate cancer cells, substances or cells created either by the body or in a lab are used.
PROCEDURES
We aim to offer the best treatments and great outcomes. The Bone Marrow Transplantation department offers both Allogenic and Autologous Transplants using Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Stem Cells.
Autologous Transplants: In an Autologous Transplant, the patient’s stem cells are collected during remission and Transplanted back to form healthy blood cells. Before Transplantation, the patient is treated with high doses of Chemotherapy or a combination of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy to eliminate the diseased blood-producing cells remaining in the Bone Marrow. Then, the collected stem cells are Transplanted allowing the Bone Marrow to produce new cells. During the procedure, the surgeon Transplants the stem cells in the patient’s bloodstream in a similar way that they would administer a Blood Transfusion. These transplanted blood cells move to the narrow spaces of the bone and then produce new blood cells.
Allogenic Transplants: In Allogenic Transplantation, the stem cells are obtained from the donor or donated umbilical cord. Initially, Chemotherapy or the combination of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy is given to the patient to eradicate Cancer cells or to suppress the immune system. Suppressing the immune system reduces the risk of Transplant rejection. For successful Allogenic Transplantation, it is important to find a suitable donor. During the procedure, the surgeon Transplants the stem cells in the patient’s bloodstream in a similar way that they would administer a blood transfusion. These transplanted blood cells move to the narrow spaces of the bone and then produce new blood cells.
BRINGING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE FOR ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES
The Department of Medical Oncology, Hemato-oncology And BMT at Gleneagles Hospitals provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to the treatment of Cancer. An integrated approach helps includes services of oncologist, hematologists, radiologists, pathologists, nutritionists and counsellors. This approach ensures that the patient receives well-rounded and complete care for dealing with Cancer. The department has a dedicated state-of-the-art stem cell transplant unit for the benefit of patients undergoing transplants. Advanced diagnostics infrastructure, labs and facilities for Chemotherapy bring the best of technology for our patients. The Department of Medical Oncology, Hemato-oncology And BMT offers comprehensive treatment and consultation for the following diseases.
- How often do I need to visit the doctor?
You might need a monthly visit after diagnosing Myelofibrosis in its early stages.
- What could be my life expectancy?
There is no probable answer. You may live as little as 3 years and it may also be 10 to 15 years or you may live even more by successful Bone Marrow Transplantation.
- How commonly Spleen is affected in Myelofibrosis?
85% or more people with Myelofibrosis present Splenomegaly at the time of diagnosis.
FAQ
Why Choose Us
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PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Your care and comfort are our top priorities. We ensure that the patients are well informed prior to every step we take for their benefit and that their queries are effectively answered.
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LATEST TECHNOLOGIES
The Gleneagles Hospitals' team stays up to date on the advancements in medical procedures and technologies. Experience the Future Healthcare Technologies now at Gleneagles Hospitals.
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PROVIDING QUALITY CARE
Strengthening lives through compassionate care, innovative therapies and relentless efforts. It reflects in the DNA of our passionate team of doctors and dedicated clinical staff.
