Mangaluru: The first successful bone marrow transplantation at KSHEMA was performed on a 55-year-old patient suffering from multiple myeloma (blood cancer).

The advanced medical procedure autologous stem cell transplantation was performed by Dr Vijith Shetty, consultant medical oncologist, and his team at Leela Narayan Shetty Cancer Centre of K S Hegde Hospital, Deralakatte.

Jayanth (name changed) from Belthangady, was suffering from a severe backache and anaemia for the last three years and was subsequently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, at KSHEMA.

Multiple myeloma is a condition which arises from the bone marrow due to abnormal proliferation of atypical plasma cells which ultimately affects normal haematopoiesis, causes renal failure and fractures in the bones.

An Autologous BMT is an advanced procedure performed to prolong survival in patients affected by Multiple Myeloma in both upfront and relapse setting, relapse – hodgkins and non-hodgkins lymphoma.

Nitte Deemed to be University Pro Chancellor Dr Shantaram Shetty claimed that this advanced facility was previously available only at major Oncology centres in Bengaluru. Now, the procedure is available at K S Hegde Hospital.

Vice Chancellor Prof Satheesh Kumar Bhandary stressed that performing stem cell transplant is a challenge in patients above 50 years of age and he was glad that Department of Medical Oncology took up this challenging case and provided relief to a patient suffering from his debilitating condition.