A 48-year-old woman from Odisha’s Cuttack district has successfully undergone an autologous bone marrow transplant (BMT) at the Bagchi Sri Shankara Cancer Centre and Research Institute (BSSCCRI)—marking the institute’s first-ever BMT procedure.
Diagnosed with multiple myeloma, the patient had been battling the condition for over a year before receiving the life-saving transplant. This milestone positions BSSCCRI as the fifth hospital in Odisha to offer haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
The procedure was led by Dr. Tribikram Panda, consultant in the BMT and haemato-oncology departments, along with a dedicated team of specialists. In an autologous BMT, the patient's own healthy stem cells are harvested, preserved, and reintroduced after intensive treatment to restore healthy bone marrow function. The patient was hospitalized for 16 days and is currently under regular follow-up care.
“In autologous transplants, we use the patient’s own stem cells to replace diseased marrow. This approach reduces complications and improves recovery outcomes,” said Dr. Panda.
The entire procedure was fully funded by the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, making advanced care accessible to the patient without financial burden.
The core transplant team included Dr. Amiya Ranjan Nayak and Dr. Satarupa Mahapatra, with essential support from Dr. Raka Hota and Dr. Meghna (haematology lab), Dr. Santosh K. Mishra (transfusion medicine), and Dr. Soumitra Ranjan Barik (radiation oncology).
Earlier this year in April, Dr. BS Srinath, Director of the Institute, formally inaugurated the BMT unit at BSSCCRI, envisioned as a Centre of Excellence in Eastern India. According to Dr. Lalatendu Sarangi, Medical Director, the unit is now actively treating complex conditions such as myeloma, lymphoma, and high-risk leukaemias using chemoimmunotherapy protocols.