Clinical Haematology & Stem Cell Transplantation
7 Doctors
Please wait while we prepare everything...
Please wait while we prepare everything...
Please wait while we prepare everything...
The Department of Clinical Haematology at Amrita Hospital, Kochi provides medical expertise for the treatment and prevention of haematological neoplasms in adults and children.
Our team of specialized healthcare professionals, consisting of skilled Haematologists and hematopathologists, is extensively trained to address conditions related to the blood and its components, like blood and bone marrow cells. Diagnostic assessments conducted by haematological tests aid in identifying various health issues such as anaemia, infections, haemophilia, blood-clotting disorders, and leukaemia. Furthermore, we excel in managing both common and rare blood disorders.
India's First
Kerala's First
OP Number: 0484 – 2853064
Duty On call: 7994999168
Clinical Pharmacist: 7994999049
Medical Social Worker: 7034028036
Physician Assistant: 7994999780 / 7994999124
CAR T-cell therapy is a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment. It harnesses the power of your body's immune cells, called T cells, by modifying them in a lab to target and eliminate cancer cells. This form of cell-based gene therapy has proven highly effective, providing hope for patients facing certain types of cancer when other treatments are no longer effective.
UNDERSTANDING CAR T-CELL THERAPY
CAR T-Cell Therapy Process:
Prescription: Your doctor prescribes CAR T-cell therapy based on your medical history and disease condition.
Leukapheresis: White Blood Cells (WBCs) are extracted through a process called Leukapheresis.
Manufacturing: CAR T-cells are specifically engineered from selected T-cells in state-of-the-art facilities.
Infusion: The therapy is administered as a single intravenous infusion, preceded by a chemotherapy regimen to prepare your body.
Monitoring: After infusion, a 10–12-day hospitalization period follows to manage potential side effects. Regular follow-ups with your doctor are encouraged for ongoing evaluation.
How CAR T Cells Work:
CLINICAL HIGHLIGHTS
19 Days - Average interval from WBC extraction to CAR T-cell infusion.
10 Days - Average in-patient duration post-CAR T-cell treatment.
90 Days - Median outpatient follow-up to ensure a durable and safe response.
Important Safety Information:
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): The most common side effect, CRS symptoms range from fever to irregular heartbeat. Recognized within 10 days of infusion, your treatment team is prepared to manage it.
Neurological Events: Notify your team if you experience confusion, dizziness, or seizures, as CAR T-cell therapy may affect the central nervous system.
HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphocytosis): Fever and low blood counts may occur, diagnosed through specific blood tests. Supportive medicines are used for treatment.
Prolonged Low Blood Cell Counts (Cytopenia): Regular blood tests monitor and manage cytopenia, minimizing infection risk. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.
POST-TREATMENT CAUTIONARY MEASURES
Physical Activity: Avoid driving, operating machinery, or intense physical activities for approximately 8 weeks post-treatment due to potential effects on coordination and alertness.
Donations: Consult your physician before donating blood, organs, tissues, or other cells.
The Blood and Marrow [Stem Cell] Transplantation at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, commenced in January 2013, provides a range of transplant services, including both autologous and allogeneic procedures. The program, spearheaded by Dr. Neeraj Sidharthan and the dedicated Blood and Marrow Transplantation Team, operates within a facility equipped with six beds and full HEPA filtration.
Our comprehensive services are supported by a team of full-time nursing staff, duty doctors, and a Medical Social Worker/Counsellor. Our program is not limited by age, offering both paediatric and adult blood and marrow transplants. As one of the fastest-growing stem cell transplant programs in India, we take pride in being a pioneer in various transplant procedures.
Bone Marrow Transplant
A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a medical procedure that involves extracting and filtering healthy stem cells from the bone marrow and reintroducing them into either the donor (patient) or another individual. The primary objective of BMT is to infuse healthy bone marrow cells into a person after their own unhealthy marrow has undergone treatment to eliminate abnormal cells.
Why is a Bone Marrow Transplant Needed?
BMT is a crucial treatment for various diseases, including leukaemia, lymphomas, aplastic anaemia, immune deficiency disorders, and certain solid tumour cancers. It becomes necessary when high doses of chemotherapy or radiation, essential for curing cancer, risk permanently damaging or destroying a person's bone marrow stem cells. Additionally, BMT may be required if a disease has compromised the bone marrow.
Stem Cell Transplants
Stem cell transplants, often referred to as bone marrow transplants, aim to replace cancerous, abnormal, or damaged stem cells with healthy ones. This procedure can utilize a patient's own healthy stem cells, donated blood, or bone marrow stem cells.
Key Achievements:
Collaborations:
Innovations:
The department is visited by more than 25,000 patients per year. Our 24 x 7 in-hospital specialty services include emergency dialysis facility, cardiac pacing and emergency endoscopy.
We prioritize your well-being and aim to provide the best possible medical care and assistance for you and your family. Our dedicated team create a warm and safe healing environment, ensuring your comfort and support throughout your journey. With expertise and compassion, we provide exceptional medical care utilizing cutting-edge technology. We are committed to providing affordable and accessible healthcare to all sections of society.
The most common types of blood cancer include:
Leukaemia: Affecting white blood cells, it includes chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Lymphoma: This type targets lymphocytes and includes Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Myeloma: Primarily affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to multiple myeloma.
Blood cancer diagnosis involves various tests such as blood tests, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, imaging scans (CT or PET scans), and genetic testing. These tests help determine the type and stage of the cancer.
Blood cancer is staged from 0 to IV, with higher stages indicating more advanced disease. Staging helps determine the extent of cancer spread and guides treatment decisions.
Yes, blood cancer is treatable. Treatment choices depend on the type, stage, and individual factors of the patient. Common options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Administered orally or intravenously, it may be used alone or with other therapies.
Radiation therapy employs high-energy radiation beams to target and destroy cancer cells, often used in localized blood cancers or to alleviate symptoms.
Stem cell transplantation, also known as a bone marrow transplant, replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor. It can be a curative treatment for some blood cancers.
Many blood cancer survivors lead normal lives. Regular medical follow-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and addressing any long-term effects or complications are essential for continued well-being.
Our Paediatric Haematology services cater to patients from the neonatal age group to adolescents dealing with inherited and acquired blood and bone marrow disorders.
The WFH Haemophilia Treatment Centre Twinning Programme between emerging haemophilia treatment centre (Amrita Hospital, Kochi) with well-established and experienced centre( Manchester Infirmary) MOU signed
A thrombosis clinic, staffed by faculty and equipped with integrated pathology support, operates twice a week.
The clinic provides treatment and follow-up for patients with thrombosis.
This multidisciplinary clinic is part of Haematology and is conducted once weekly. The clinic has haematologists, haematopathologists, orthopaedician, physiatrists, physiotherapists, medical social workers, haemophilia nurses and clinical pharmacist. It evaluates, as a team, patients planned for complex haemophilia surgeries.
Haemophilia prophylaxis and on demand administration of factors – Done by trained nurses. Factors are provided by the World Federation of Haemophilia.
Patients undergoing or recovering from BMT are seen by a dedicated BMT team, consisting of faculty, a BMT nurse, and a social worker.
Facilities for video consenting and counselling are available as part of the BMT care. The BMT clinic operates three days a week.
Caters to patients from neonatal age group to adolescents with inherited and acquired blood and bone marrow disorders which includes primary immunodeficiency diseases, benign, malignant, autoimmune disorders affecting haematopoietic system. Inherited and acquired cytopenias, thrombophilias and bleeding diathesis are also offered supportive and curative management.
Haemophilia & Thalassemia Clinic in Aluva General Hospital
The Department of Haematology extends its services free of charge on a regular basis to the Haemophilia & Thalassemia Clinic and Transfusion Centre at Aluva General Hospital. Each day, about 8-10 bone marrow examinations are performed under local anaesthesia. Samples are processed in-house and sent to external laboratories for necessary tests. Additionally, patients undergo daily bone marrow examinations under general anaesthesia. Intrathecal administration of chemotherapy is also a daily procedure, all conducted by qualified medical doctors under thorough aseptic precautions.
Haemophilia Camps
We organized Haemophilia Camps for patients in various locations, including Idukki, Cherthala, and Amrita Hospital, Kochi. During these camps, we assessed the health status of individuals, offering patient awareness sessions and counselling to provide comprehensive support.
