Specialist in Blood Cancers, BMT & Immunotherapy — CMC Vellore · JIPMER

I know how terrifying those first hours are. The most important thing right now is to get to a haematologist with the specific test reports — the bone marrow biopsy, cytogenetics, flow cytometry if done. Don't wait for a "complete" report before coming. Come with what you have. The type of leukaemia determines everything — ALL, AML, CLL, CML all have different treatments and different outlooks. In my first consultation, I will explain exactly what subtype your child has, what the current treatment protocol involves, what to expect in the first cycle, and what the realistic outcomes are. You shouldn't be navigating this without clear information. Please call +91 9063490160 and come as soon as you can.

This is the question every family asks — and the honest answer is: it depends significantly on the type. Hodgkin lymphoma is curable in the majority of cases with standard chemotherapy. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children has cure rates above 85% with modern protocols. Chronic myeloid leukaemia — once a disease with poor prognosis — is now managed with daily oral targeted therapy, with many patients achieving near-normal life expectancy. Even aggressive cancers like AML and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma have significant remission and cure rates with the right treatment. "Blood cancer" is not one disease. Come with the specific diagnosis and I will give you a direct, honest answer about what to expect.

BMT is not the first treatment for most blood disorders — it's indicated when the expected benefit outweighs the significant risks involved. The decision depends on the specific disease, the stage, whether other treatments have been tried, the patient's age and overall fitness, and the availability of a suitable donor. Some diseases — like severe aplastic anaemia in a young patient with a matched sibling — have clear BMT indications. Others, like CML, are now managed with oral targeted therapy without transplant in most cases. If you've been told you need BMT, I'm happy to review the case, explain why it's been recommended, and confirm whether I agree with that assessment. Second opinions on BMT are not just acceptable — they're sensible.

An oncologist broadly treats cancers — usually solid tumours like breast, lung and colon cancer. A haematologist specialises in blood and bone marrow disorders — both cancerous and non-cancerous. The overlap is haemato-oncology — blood cancers. A haematologist is the right specialist for leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MDS, aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia, haemophilia and related disorders. For these conditions, seeing a dedicated haematologist — rather than a general oncologist — means you're seeing someone whose entire career has been focused on blood. That specificity matters for complex conditions.

Thalassaemia minor — also called thalassaemia trait — generally does not require treatment and most carriers live completely normal lives. The critical issue is family planning. If both partners carry the trait, each pregnancy has a 25% chance of producing a child with thalassaemia major, which is a serious lifelong condition requiring regular blood transfusions. Pre-pregnancy screening and genetic counselling can prevent thalassaemia major entirely in future generations. If you or your partner has thalassaemia minor and you're planning a family, please come for a consultation before conception. This is one of those situations where early information changes everything.

The honest answer is that leukaemia treatment costs vary significantly by type and protocol. CML — now managed with oral targeted agents like imatinib or dasatinib — has become far more affordable since generic versions became available in India. A month of generic imatinib can cost as little as ₹2,000–5,000. Acute leukaemia protocols involving hospitalisation and intravenous chemotherapy are more expensive — typically ₹1.5–3 lakh per cycle depending on the regimen and centre. Most health insurance policies in India cover leukaemia treatment as a critical illness — both chemotherapy and hospitalisation. At CION Cancer Clinics, our team helps with insurance pre-authorisation and can explain the cost structure before treatment begins. I know cost is a real concern for most families. We don't ignore that conversation.

Dr. Basudev Pokhrel is a Consultant Haematologist at CION Cancer Clinics, Hyderabad, with Post-Doctoral Fellowship training from CMC Vellore and MD from JIPMER. He specialises in leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia and bone marrow transplant. He is available at CION Cancer Clinics, ANR Centre, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad — Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Contact +91 9063490160 or WhatsApp to book a consultation.

Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer — either by removing the brakes cancer cells put on the immune system (checkpoint inhibitors) or by targeting specific proteins on cancer cells (monoclonal antibodies). In blood cancers, immunotherapy has transformed treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and certain leukaemias. Dr. Basudev Pokhrel at CION Cancer Clinics, Hyderabad, incorporates immunotherapy into blood cancer treatment protocols where indicated. Contact +91 9063490160 to discuss whether immunotherapy is appropriate for your specific diagnosis.

Dr. Basudev Pokhrel at CION Cancer Clinics, Hyderabad, is experienced in the complete BMT pathway — from indication and donor matching through to post-transplant care. He manages the clinical assessment, treatment planning and pre- and post-transplant monitoring for eligible patients. Contact +91 9063490160 to discuss your specific case and whether BMT is indicated.

A single low platelet count doesn't automatically mean something serious — it can be caused by a viral infection, a medication, or a simple lab error on that day. But a persistently low platelet count — below 50,000 — or one accompanied by bruising, bleeding or other abnormal counts needs evaluation by a haematologist. The causes range from benign (ITP — immune thrombocytopenia, which is very treatable) to more serious conditions. A haematologist can do the right tests — peripheral blood film, bone marrow biopsy if needed — to give you a definitive answer rather than a watchful waiting approach that drags on for months.