Media Release
Mangaluru, August 21: A groundbreaking medical procedure was performed recently at Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology, marking the first-ever high-dose Thiotepa-based bone marrow transplant for brain lymphoma in Mangaluru.
Thiotepa is a type of chemotherapy medicine used to treat certain cancers. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading in the body. In some cases, it's given in high doses before a bone marrow transplant to help prepare the body for the transplant and make the treatment more effective.
The patient, a 59-year-old male from Kadri, Mangaluru, was diagnosed with brain lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy before being referred to the institute for an autologous bone marrow transplant. This complex procedure involved harvesting the patient’s stem cells, cryopreserving them, administering high-dose Thiotepa chemotherapy, and then reinfusing the stem cells.
The patient successfully engrafted within 11 days, experiencing only mild complications such as diarrhea and fever, and was subsequently discharged.
This medical milestone was achieved by a dedicated team led by senior bone marrow physician Dr Rajesh Krishna, with support from assistant professor Dr Anusha Hegde, head of Blood Bank Dr Indira Putran, and an experienced team of nursing and medical staff.
Dr Rajesh Krishna has 15 years of experience working in the United Kingdom. The team has so far successfully performed over 30 bone marrow transplants.
Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology, a premier cancer center established by chancellor, Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi and vice-chancellor Dr M Vijayakumar, continues to set new standards in cancer care. The institute is renowned as the leading bone marrow transplant centre in Mangaluru, with a history of pioneering both adult and pediatric allogeneic bone
marrow transplants.
The procedures offered are accessible and affordable, particularly benefiting the economically disadvantaged sections of society.