Youth defeats both Cancer and Covid-19

• KIMS doctors give new lease of life
• Bone marrow transplantation done under critical conditions

Hyderabad, 23rd July 2021: The timely intervention of expert doctors from KIMS hospital, Secunderabad, led to the successful treatment of a 24-year-old with both Cancer and Covid-19 at the same time. Medical oncologist, haematologist, and stem cell/bone marrow transplant specialist Dr Narendar Kumar Thota successfully performed a BMT (bone marrow transplant) on a patient with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. He explains the hurdles the team has faced in the treatment, and the procedure followed.

"Rajkumar Kocharla, aged 24 years from Manchiryal district, came to KIMS hospital in June 2020 with Cancer symptoms. He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. While having chemotherapy, he contracted Covid-19. Usually, Cancer patients' immunity levels are very low. Many thought that this patient may not survive from Covid severity. But, he was treated on a ventilator for a long time and survived. He also surprised doctors and medical staff to survive such harsh conditions."

"Fortunately, he got out of covid's clutches and gradually took several precautions and returned to normal. Then he underwent chemotherapy for cancer and gradually got ready for the BMT Procedure for leukaemia. BMT is the proper treatment for leukaemia. His maternal uncle's bone marrow matched by 50 per cent. So, BMT went on successfully in February this year. After four months of observation, Rajkumar is fully recovered and is in sound health now. Even though many advanced treatments are available for these complex problems, BMT is the right treatment, if the right donor is found.  It is not difficult to save lives if the disease is detected and treated at right time", he explained.

The family members of Rajkumar thanked the doctors, medical staff and the management of KIMS hospitals for saving him from rare Cancer and Covid-19 simultaneously. They said they have almost lost hope for their son.