Bone marrow transplant was the only viable option and her father's 50 per cent stem cell was a high match. (Representational Image)
In a rare medical procedure, a two- year-old girl suffering from acute blood cancer was given a new lease of life after a successful 50 per cent matched Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) at a private hospital in Jaipur.
Prachi, who hailed from Sikar in Rajasthan, was suffering from acute blood cancer (acute myeloid leukaemia) in June last year, and brought to Manipal Hospital in a critical condition with her eyes nearly protruding out of the sockets, Dr Satyendra Katewa, Head of Paediatric Haemato-Oncology and BMT, told reporters on Wednesday.
Chemotherapy was ruled out as chances of her survival were slim, only 15 to 20 per cent. Bone marrow transplant was the only viable option and her father's 50 per cent stem cell was a high match, Dr Katewa said.
Half-matched (haplo-identical) bone marrow stem cell transplant is not very common in India as compared to the west and it was the first 50 per cent matched bone marrow transplant of stem cells donated by the girl's father, he said.
The medical procedure was done in June last year, and the girl is hale and hearty now, Dr Katewa said.
As against a high cost of Rs. 20 lakh, her parents paid about Rs. 8 lakh for treatment, he said.
Referring to recent cancer registry, Dr Katewa said about 15000 people, including 3000 new born babies, in Rajasthan were reportedly afflicted by leukaemia every year.