American Oncology Institute (AOI) at Nangia Specialty Hospital, Nagpur, has achieved a significant milestone in cancer care with two consecutive and successful autologous bone marrow transplants for Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients: a 58-year-old male from Amravati and a 57-year-old male from MP. Dr. Shailesh Bamborde, BMT Specialist and the team performed an autologous bone marrow transplant, using the patient’s own cells for transplant, thereby reducing the chances of infection and rejection.
Making the medical services accessible and affordable, American Oncology Institute (AOI), Nagpur provided a cost-effective Bone Marrow Transplant for the benefit of patients in and around the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra as well as Central India.
Dr Shailesh Bamborde, BMT Specialist at AOI Nagpur, highlighted the significance of the procedure: “Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that forms in white blood cells called plasma cells. In myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and replace healthy blood cells.”
Blood cancer treatment and bone marrow transplant are one of the most challenging treatments methods in the cutting-edge cancer treatment. To treat the patients of this disease, the patient had to go to Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore. However, these facilities are now available at American Oncology Institute and Nangia Specialty Hospital. This method of treatment can be used for blood cancer or other diseases of the blood. In this, the damaged diseased bone marrow is completely destroyed and healthy bone marrow is transplanted in its place. This treatment usually continues for 1 month. Two patients visited Dr Shailesh Bamborde in June 2024 with symptoms of back pain and difficulty in breathing. After bone marrow and blood tests, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma blood cancer. For that he was given chemotherapy. After 4 chemotherapy, his disease was controlled. He was given the option of bone marrow transplant to prevent the disease from reoccurring. After the patient gave full consent, Apheresis was performed to obtain his stem cells. After Apheresis, it became possible to obtain the required amount of stem cells. Therefore, Dr. Shailesh Bamborde performed a bone marrow transplant by giving the patient a conditioning protocol. After that the patient remained admitted for 17 days. Finally, on the 17th day, the patient was discharged home after the cells had fully grown. A team of other doctors under the guidance of Hematologist Dr. Shailesh Bamborde has performed this successful bone marrow transplant and given life to the patients.
Harish Trivedi, CEO of CTSI – South Asia, commented on the broader impact of AOI Nagpur’s advancements: “AOI Nagpur’s achievement in bone marrow transplants marks a significant milestone in advancing healthcare accessibility in Central India. This innovation underscores their commitment to delivering high-quality care and reducing healthcare disparities in the region.”
Multiple myeloma is one of the common types of blood cancer arising from plasma cells that live inside the bone marrow. It accounts for about 10–15 per cent of blood cancers. MM, characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow, presents symptoms like renal failure, anemia, bone pain, infections, and fatigue. AOI Nagpur’s transplant technique offers new hope for effective treatment and improved quality of life for patients battling this complex cancer.
Dr Amit Dhawan, Regional Chief Operating Officer of AOI Nagpur, underscored the institution’s commitment to excellence in cancer care: “AOI Nagpur is dedicated to offering world-class medical care with compassion and affordability. Our recent success in bone marrow transplants signifies our capability to provide cutting-edge treatments locally, reducing the burden on patients and their families.”
Dr. Hrushikesh Phate, Facility Director, AOI Nangia Specialty Hospital, stated, “The landscape of cancer treatment has evolved significantly in recent times. Nagpur is positioning itself as a crucial hub for comprehensive cancer care in Central India. With our advanced radiation machinery, top-tier diagnostic capabilities, and a team of skilled oncologists, AOI Nangia Specialty Hospital is dedicated to providing the highest standards of patient care. We are particularly proud of our Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit, which offers cutting-edge treatments and has become a beacon of hope for patients requiring this advanced therapy.”
He continued, “At AOI Nangia Specialty Hospital, we are committed to making advanced cancer treatment accessible to all, offering these services at reduced costs to ensure that everyone has access to superior cancer care. This initiative also helps to minimize the need for patients to travel to larger cities for advanced treatment, bringing top-notch care right to their doorstep. Our BMT program exemplifies this commitment by providing life-saving treatments with best-in-class outcomes, enhancing the quality of life for our patients.”