Apollo Cancer Centres Unveils its First Outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant Service in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Hyderabad – June 19, 2024 – Apollo Cancer Centres (ACC), Hyderabad, proudly announces the launch of the States’ First Outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Service in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, thus revolutionizing the treatment of lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other hematologic conditions. This service offers patients the life-saving benefits of bone marrow transplantation while significantly reducing the need for prolonged hospital stays and cutting costs by 50 per cent.

The outpatient BMT service provides numerous advantages, including cost efficiency by reducing inpatient hospital stays, enhanced patient comfort by allowing recovery at home, improved quality of life by minimizing hospital-related stress and infection risk, and increased convenience with daily outpatient monitoring and care. This outpatient BMT is also known as a One-Day Bone Marrow Transplant or Ambulatory Transplants.

The process includes bone marrow stem cell harvest, high-dose chemotherapy administration and transplantation of stem cells– all performed as day care with daily visits to the hematology ward for monitoring and assessment.

Supportive care includes, hydration, electrolyte repletion, blood products, growth factors, IV antiemetic agents, and antimicrobial agents. Patients may need to stay in for a few days if they develop any infections.

Upon daily discharge, patients receive prepared medication sheets, delivered prescriptions, and comprehensive education on medication management by a dedicated pharmacist. These patients have a designated contact team doctor along with 24-hour support from the BMT/Hematology unit. Additionally, hospital beds are identified for any unexpected complications, and temporary housing options near the hospital are available for patients and caregivers.

Dr Padmaja Lokireddy, Senior Consultant, Haemato Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, said, “The launch of the outpatient bone marrow transplant service at ACC, Hyderabad, is a game-changing initiative that will revolutionize the treatment of hematologic conditions. By significantly minimising the need for prolonged hospital stays and reducing the costs by 50 percent, this service offers patients the life-saving benefits of bone marrow transplantation while prioritizing their comfort, convenience, and quality of life.”

Upon daily discharge, patients receive prepared medication sheets, delivered prescriptions, and comprehensive education on medication management by a dedicated pharmacist. These patients have a designated contact team doctor along with 24-hour support from the BMT/Hematology unit. Additionally, hospital beds are identified for any unexpected complications, and temporary housing options near the hospital are available for patients and caregivers.

Dr Padmaja Lokireddy, Senior Consultant, Haemato Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, said, “The launch of the outpatient bone marrow transplant service at ACC, Hyderabad, is a game-changing initiative that will revolutionize the treatment of hematologic conditions. By significantly minimising the need for prolonged hospital stays and reducing the costs by 50 percent, this service offers patients the life-saving benefits of bone marrow transplantation while prioritizing their comfort, convenience, and quality of life.”

Mr Dinesh Madhavan, President Group Oncology and International Apollo Hospital Enterprises Ltd, said, “For several years, outpatient stem cell transplant has been offered at a handful of leading hospitals across the globe, giving physicians the experience to determine the best conditions for a good outcome. We are delighted that this is now provided in India through Apollo Cancer Centres. Selected patients don’t have to stay at the hospital for weeks now. The same, effective treatment course is given while allowing patients to rest after therapy in familiar, comfortable surroundings and with their family, this has shown great benefits to patients and the overall outcome.”

Mr Tejesvi Veerepalli, CEO, Apollo Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, said, “At Apollo Cancer Centres, our well-structured outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) protocol is designed to ensure patient safety and achieve optimal outcomes. This protocol is best suited for younger individuals who do not have significant illnesses and reside within a 60-minute commute to the hospital, provided they have a full-time caregiver or family member available. Our goal here at Apollo Cancer Centres is to enhance patient well-being, improve survival rates, and make bone marrow transplantation more accessible and less burdensome for patients and their families.”

Experiencing her experience, Ms Neha Kumari Nag, said, “The outpatient bone marrow transplant service at Apollo Cancer Centres has truly transformed my treatment experience. Being able to undergo such a critical procedure without prolonged hospital stays has allowed me to recover in the comfort of my own space, surrounded by my loved ones. The daily outpatient care and support have made the entire process more manageable and less stressful, significantly improving my quality of life during this challenging time.”

Current collaboration with other Apollo Cancer Centres across India through monthly meetings, and work with institutions from the UK to refine protocols and practices has made significant leap on providing high quality care. We are proud to announce that we conduct ongoing research to avail new therapies to refractory cancer patients by participating in international and national research programs.