Frequently Asked Questions

Your body is unique and has a set of proteins called human leukocyte-associated (HLA) antigens, on the surface of your body cells. We identify this set of proteins from samples drawn from your blood or buccal swab smears. We have the expertise and facilities to evaluate bone marrow morphology and immunohistochemistry at our state-of-the-art lab. The other relevant specialised tests include flowcytometry, cytogenetics and molecular genetics. In most cases, the success of allogeneic transplantation depends on how well the HLA antigens of the donor and recipient’s stem cells. Higher the number of matching HLA antigens, greater are chances of your body accepting the donor’s stem cells. You are less likely to develop graft-versus-host disease graft-versus-tumour effect post allogeneic transplant: when white blood cells from the donor attack the cells in the patient’s body after the chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, if the stem cells are closely matched. It is estimated that only 25 to 35 percent of patients have a HLA-matching sibling. The chances of obtaining matching stem cells from an unrelated donor too vary, so finding the right donor is the key to a successful BMT or PBSCT.

The first step to BMT and PBSCT is destroying the diseased cells from your body through high doses of chemotherapy or radiation called conditioning. At Aster Medcity, we have the most advanced technology for these procedures, including Kerala’s first True Beam Linear Accelerator and dedicated radiotherapy rooms to ensure maximum patient safety. All radiotherapy treatments we provide are based on NCCN (USA) and ESMO (Europe) guidelines. As cancerous cells divide faster than healthier cells, we can, through conditioning destroy the existing bone marrow cells so that we can infuse healthy, transplanted cells into your body effectively.

Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside your bones and contains immature cells known as hematopoietic or blood-forming cells. The Hematopoietic cells keep dividing into more blood-forming cells; and mature into one of three types of blood cells: infection-fighting white blood cells, oxygen-carrying red blood cells and clot-forming platelets. Though most hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow, some cells called peripheral blood stem cells are found in your bloodstream. Blood in the umbilical cord also contains hematopoietic cells. Cells from any of these sources can also be used in transplant.

There are three types of Bone Marrow Transplants based on from who the donor cells are harvested Autologous transplant is when you are receive your own stem cells. Allogeneic transplants in when you receive cells donated by your sibling or parent. However, an unrelated donor or a person who is not related to you can also give you stem cells for transplant. Syngeneic transplant is when you are infused with stem cells donated by your identical twin.

Bone Marrow Transplant and Haematopoietic Stem cell Transplant are non-surgical modes of treatment to cure advanced stages of malignancies as well as non-malignant haematological diseases and multiple other disorders. As the name suggests, bone marrow transplant and peripheral blood stem cell transplant mean replacing or restoring dysfunctional cells with healthy cells.The diseased cells in your body are first destroyed completely through conditioning therapy, which is inducing high doses of chemotherapy or irradiation.You’ll be then infused with healthy cells that will start multiplying on their own in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Following are the common signs and symptoms of pediatric craniosynostosis. An abnormal feeling or disappearing fontanel (soft spot on the top of the head) Asymmetrical, misshapen skull Development of a raised, hard ridge along with the skull Slow or no growth of the head as the baby grows These conditions can be corrected with surgery and can restore.

Craniosynostosis can affect babies in two different ways Isolated craniosynostosis: Isolated craniosynostosis known as non-syndromic craniosynostosis, is the closing of only one suture with no other associated health problems and is the most common kind of craniosynostosis.  Syndromic craniosynostosis: Syndromes are when three or more medical problems occur in a recognizable pattern. When craniosynostosis is part of a syndrome, it is known as syndromic craniosynostosis. In these cases, there are usually two or more sutures that closed too early. Patients also have other health conditions as part of the syndrome.

The skull is formed by several separate bones. These skull bones are connected by specialized structures called sutures. These sutures look like seams or spaces between the skull bones. The sutures are growth centers for the skull bones. Craniosynostosis is present when one or more of the sutures closes earlier than it should cause the skull to grow into an abnormal shape. Babies' brains grow very quickly in the first two years of life. As the brain grows it stretches the sutures which signal the sutures to make new bone. The sutures allow the skull to enlarge and create just enough space for the brain. Normally, these sutures remain open until we reach adulthood, long after the brain and skull have stopped growing. Craniosynostosis causes a baby’s skull to misshapen because the brain continues to grow at the same rate even if one or more sutures close too early.  The remaining open sutures have to grow faster to make up for the closed suture. This extra growth causes a change in head shape. In some cases, the remaining open sutures can’t grow fast enough to keep up with the brain’s growth causing abnormally high pressure in the skull, which can have negative effects on brain health. These include learning delays, blindness, and, rarely, death, if untreated.   

Kidneys are your body’s filters. They purify blood several times a day, maintain your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance and produce urine. So when the kidneys fail to function, your body starts getting poisoned. Each of your kidneys comprises a million microscopic filtering units called nephron. The most dangerous fact about kidney or renal failure is that one might not know about it till 90% of the function is lost. The symptoms of kidney or renal damage include symptoms like swollen ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. If not addressed medically, the kidneys will eventually become dysfunctional – a condition that’s life threatening.

Scoliosis spine surgery is a specialised surgery for correction of spine deformity