Bengaluru, 7^th April 2022: Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd. (HCG), one of India’s largest dedicated cancer care chains today announced the launch of the country’s first Extended Reality Lab using the innovative Microsoft HoloLens 2 at the HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru. This Mixed Reality technology leverages HCG’s proven experience and expertise in providing precision health services.

By virtue of HoloLens 2, HCG’s specialist doctors of hub centers in metro cities will share their expertise with surgeons working in Tier-2 cities. By empowering healthcare teams to work independently, HoloLens 2 is reducing time-to-care for patients. With HoloLens 2, healthcare experts can now collaborate with surgeons, no matter where they are, and interact on immersive 3-D platforms to offer the best possible treatment. Using Dynamics 365 Remote Assist, which can be accessed on, Windows, Android or iOS devices, mixed reality will undoubtedly go a long way towards fulfilling HCG’s vision of bridging the gap in terms of medical expertise and talent that pervades the Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India. It will help transform the healthcare industry through knowledge sharing, simulated training, and personalized patient care.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. B S Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd. said, “The adoption of Microsoft HoloLens 2 at HCG is a pivotal step towards serving the larger cause of healthcare. The fact that HoloLens allows users to interact with objects projected into their view is a boon for healthcare stakeholders – whether for comprehending medical scenarios, enhancing surgical interventions, or assessing patient conditions. The HoloLens technology is expected to revolutionize cancer treatment as doctors from Tier-2 cities can now seamlessly work in the guiding light of specialists from metros, thereby enabling every HCG patient to avail of prompt and best-in-class treatment”.

HCG is a pioneer in adopting cutting-edge technology in the fight against cancer and we are reinforcing our commitment to tech-led innovation through India’s first Extended Reality Lab using Microsoft HoloLens 2. We are glad to have Microsoft supporting us in our endeavor to improve patient outcomes through personalized and precise cancer treatment. Beyond doubt, a new era in healthcare is being unleashed by disruptive technologies like HoloLens. The future of healthcare is rooted in mixed reality, and HoloLens 2 promises to be at the heart of this transformation.” said Mr. Raj Gore, CEO, Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd. 

“Mixed reality solutions are empowering healthcare practitioners and experts to reimagine healthcare by accelerating diagnoses, reducing time-to care, and enabling personalization. We are pleased to associate with HCG Hospitals that has brought advanced cancer care to the doorstep of millions of patients and is now deploying mixed reality tools to create immersive experiences. Using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist doctors wearing Microsoft HoloLens 2 can hold video calls with colleagues and experts from anywhere in the world for real time knowledge sharing thereby improving access and efficiency,” said Sashikumar Sreedharan, Managing Director, Microsoft India.

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Blood disorders and cancers, especially in children can be fatal if not managed properly. They can cause blood not to have adequate number of cells, platelets, proteins, or nutrients which interferes with their function. Thalassemia, Sickle cell disease and childhood leukaemia (or blood cancer) are some of the challenging and not that uncommon blood-related disorders that are known to affect children. India has the third highest number of blood cancer cases, preceded by US and China. Leukaemia in children is a growing burden and a serious concern. It needs to be treated on time to help the patient survive and prolong his life.

Childhood Leukaemia and Bone Marrow Transplant

Childhood leukaemia is the most common type of cancer found in children and young adults where abnormal white blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. The abnormal cancer cells replace the normal red blood cells, White blood cells and platelets and cause various problems. Anaemia, Bleeding risk and decreased immunity leading to increased risk of infection are some of the consequences. Leukaemia is a type of cancer that originates in the blood-forming tissue or the bone marrow or in the immune system cells.

The treatment options for childhood leukaemia depend on the diagnosis. Usually, most Leukaemia can be managed with Chemotherapy and supportive care with blood and platelets transfusion, antibiotics for managing infections. However, some high risk or recurrent Leukaemia can be cured only with innovative therapies like bone marrow transplant. The chances of survival and cure are better in certain subgroups of leukaemia.

A bone marrow transplant is required when the bone marrow ceases to function and does not produce enough healthy blood cells. A bone marrow transplant is not a surgery. It is a medical procedure which requires expertise and dedicated teamwork. It is performed only in centres who have trained Doctors and Nurses and other support staff. It is also called Stem cell transplant or Hematopoietic stem cell transplant.  There are two basic types of BMT, Autologous and Allogeneic.

1. Autologous BMT is a procedure where in patient’s own stem cells are given after high dose chemotherapy as a rescue. This procedure is useful in many solid tumours especially high risk and relapsed and in Lymphomas.

2. Allogeneic BMT is a procedure where in stem cells are given from a healthy donor.

The donors must be HLA matched (done on blood tests or saliva sample to match antigens and check for compatibility. Donor could be siblings, family members, or unrelated donors from the registries. The source of stem cells could be Bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells or cord blood. Allogeneic BMT is curative in much difficult and relapsed Leukaemia and is an important curative option for Thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

Initially medicines are giving called Conditioning chemotherapy- which basically removes the diseased marrow and creates space for the healthy marrow/stem cells. Then the healthy stem cells are given like a blood transfusion through an IV catheter. These cells flow into the bloodstream and find their way into the marrow. The type of transplant that is suitable for the child is determined after examining the overall health and the type of blood cancer the child is suffering from.

But generally, all Leukaemia where BMT is indicated, Allogeneic BMT will be required. The type of donor and the type of stem cells required will depend on the type of Leukaemia and overall health status of the child. There is no specific age group required as majority of the times the Leukaemia who need BMT are very aggressive and we need to do BMT as soon as it is in control. Children as young as few months to adolescents, all of them can undergo BMT when indicated.

Also Read: Blood cancer challenges faced in terms Of diagnosis and treatment In India

Preparing for Bone Marrow Transplant

Medically, the Leukaemia needs be in complete control with chemotherapy or immunotherapy before Allogeneic BMT. It is important to explain the transplant process and the reason behind it to the child as per the age and understanding of the child to help him or her deal with the anxiety surrounding the experience. They may have several questions and it is the duty of the parents and the doctors to respond to them honestly and carefully. They might fear the problems associated with the process, if they must stop going to school or doing their normal activities, and their changing physical image (loss of hair and weight).

1. Encourage the child to ask as many questions as he or she has, and answer those using words they understand and relate to.

2. Reassure the child about getting cured and living a healthy life, rather than confusing them about the complications that may arise later.

3. Maintain the daily routine and spend quality time with them and avoid revealing anxieties that the parents go through.

In must be noted that during or after the procedure is over, it may cause certain serious complications. These are largely dependent on the type of disease being treated for, medications given, age of the child and overall health conditions, the type of bone marrow transplant and difference in the tissue match between the recipient and the donor. Some of the possible complications are infections, mucositis, nutrition issues, blood and platelet requirements, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin problems, problems with important organs like liver, heart or kidneys, fluid overload, graft failure and Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD – when the recipients’ healthy cells are attacked by the donor’s immune cells). Many of these complications can be prevented, anticipated, and decreased to a large extent with the current standard of care in experienced centres.

Since BMT is not a surgery and involves only changing the blood through the recipient’s arms and transporting it to the bone marrow, it is important to create a larger donor pool and spread awareness about making bone marrow transplant available and accessible to people in our country and address the demand and supply gap. Only 25-30% of patients will have HLA matched sibling donors and another few matched family donors. In those cases, where no matched family donors are available, the next best options are HLA matched unrelated donors from the registries and or haplo donors (half matched) from the family.

It is important to strengthen the donor pool with more and more voluntary people registering with the BMT registries and when they are matched with a patient requiring BMT, getting them motivated to come forward for stem cell donation. Stem cell donation either from Bone marrow or peripheral blood is completely safe for the healthy donors. It is also essential to have a large database of public cord blood bank where in Umbilical cords can be stored. And when these cords are matched with a patient needing BMT, they can be utilized. With cancer outrunning cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death globally, it is important to raise awareness to encourage stem cell donation.

Dr Intezar Mehdi

Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, Oncologist and BMT

HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, March 8, 2022: HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru, one of India’s leading cancer care chains, commemorates International Women’s Day by felicitating 10 female cancer survivors for displaying unwavering determination and sheer will power to fight cancer. On this occasion, a team of renowned Onco surgeons and Medical Oncologist from HCG were part of a panel discussion on the theme for the year #BreakTheBias. The agenda of the discussion was to promote the idea of Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.

The panel discussion was moderated by Dr Vishal Rao, Group Director, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery and the panelists for the discussion were Dr Mahesh Bandemagal, Surgical Oncologist, Dr Abhilasha Narayan, Consultant – Gynaec Oncology and Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon, Dr Roshni Dasgupta, Consultant – Medical Oncologist and Dr Kritika Murugan – Surgical Oncologist. The discussion highlighted on the Importance of Gender innovation as a growing mandate in oncology, women in surgery, the burden and hurdles of HCG Moonshot for cervical cancer eradication for India, Breaking the bias in oncology through empathy design for cancer patients & balance at work / home. They shared insights on how, over the last decade, there have been tremendous advancement in the cancer screening programs that have contributed to bring about a difference in the survival rates of cancer patients.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Manisha Kumar, COO & Cluster Head, HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru said, “Cancer may be the toughest battle that one may face but with the right diagnosis and treatment at the right time, along with determination and positivity, we can overcome this too. We, at HCG Hospital, are continuously striving towards creating a comprehensive treatment approach to treat patient with the best of our clinical expertise and technologies available. It has been an honor today to hear the inspiring stories of our cancer survivors and felicitating them on International Women’s Day.”

The cancer survivors who were felicitated at the event shared their treatment experiences at HCG hospital and emphasized on the importance of identifying unusual symptoms and seeking immediate consultation from doctors. They thanked the doctors and the hospital staff for extending complete support during and after treatment.

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Bleeding of gums, a familiar issue observed among adults and young children, is also a common symptom of gingivitis or gum diseases characterized by swelling and redness in the gums and irritation. It can be caused due to usage of hard toothbrush, consuming hard food or possibly brushing too vigorously. This is more likely to happen if the person has persistent plaque or tartar buildup which eventually roots up to gingivitis in the teeth cavities or gums resulting in a small cuts and bruises while brushing, flossing or eating hard foods.

Most cases of bleeding gums may be a result of several other problems apart from gum disease,  it is, however, important to take notice if this issue persists. If changing your brushing habits or other hygiene practices does not improve the condition, it is reasonable to seek medical attention as bleeding of gums can also be a sign of leukemia, and must not be ignored.

Can Leukemia cause Bleeding Gums?

Leukemia is the cancer of blood cells which can be both chronic or acute in nature. Often, the early symptoms of chronic leukemia may be so mild that they may go unnoticed. For patients with acute myeloid leukemia, the gums begin to swell which makes it easier to injure them and cause bleeding while brushing. Acute leukemia develops swiftly and may be accompanied by unexpected, more visible symptoms.

Bleeding of gums can be an early warning sign for both types of leukemia. The other symptoms to watch out for include bruising of the gums, tongue or inner cheeks, lesions or sores in the mouth, swollen gums, pale gums or paleness inside the mouth, an overgrowth of gum tissue around the teeth, which may cause the shape or size of the teeth to change in appearance.

Identifying Bleeding Gums in Children

A low platelet issue among kids or adults can cause problems with gums bleeding or bruising. People with leukemia may have bleeding of gums even though they do not have any gum diseases. Children are more likely to be affected with acute leukemia, where the symptoms may appear suddenly. On observing an issue of bleeding gums among children, it is necessary to address the problem which could have resulted due to multiple reasons such as lack of hygiene, brushing or flossing, and should not be ignored.

Treating Bleeding Gums

Treating patients with leukemia-led bleeding of gums requires maximum care and caution. The treatment process includes chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill the cancerous cells. This may have a dreadful consequence on the person’s immune system, causing more implications on their oral health such as mouth sores and more frequent infections. Before starting the process, some dentists also suggest filling cavities and treating other severe gum infections and diseases thereby, safeguarding their oral health.

It must be noted that although bleeding gums are a common symptom of leukemia, it can be caused due to other oral health problems. It is advisable to consult a doctor if taking control of hygiene practices does not stop or improve bleeding and other symptoms start showing up, in both adults and children.

Dr. Sachin Jadhav

Group Head – Haematology & BMT Department

HCG Cancer Hospital – Bengaluru

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