The team of doctors at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri has successfully treated patients with autoimmune diseases and blood cancer through apheresis procedures. This method has shown promising results, significantly improving patients’ symptoms.
Apheresis at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri is performed by internal medicine specialists and hematology-oncology consultants, Dr. Toman T.J Lumban Toruan, Sp.PD-KHOM, and Dr. Alvin Tagor Harahap, Sp.PD-KHOM. Apheresis is used to treat various blood-related disorders, including autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis, as well as leukemia and other types of blood cancer.
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Apheresis for Blood Cancer Treatment
For blood cancer treatment, patients often try chemotherapy medications to manage their condition. However, some patients may develop allergies to chemotherapy drugs, making treatment less effective. In such cases, apheresis serves as an alternative therapy.
One patient undergoing treatment had an abnormally high white blood cell (leukocyte) count. After apheresis therapy, their leukocyte levels were significantly reduced.
“Initially, the patient’s leukocyte count was around 190,000. After a single apheresis session, it dropped to approximately 90,000. The patient will continue additional therapy and apheresis sessions to stabilize their leukocyte levels within a safe range,” explained Dr. Toman.
Plasmapheresis for Autoimmune Disorders like Myasthenia Gravis
Regarding plasmapheresis for myasthenia gravis treatment, Dr. Toman reported promising results.
“A recent myasthenia gravis patient responded well to treatment. The patient previously experienced an MG crisis but has significantly improved after undergoing apheresis. They now lead a normal life without noticeable symptoms,” he added.
Understanding Apheresis and Its Procedure
Human blood consists of four main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. In certain medical conditions, removing or modifying a specific blood component through apheresis can be beneficial.
Apheresis is a procedure that allows doctors to remove or modify red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, or plasma from a patient’s bloodstream for medical treatment. During the procedure, a centrifuge machine extracts blood from the patient, separates its components, and returns the necessary components to the body.
For example, in leukemia cases, excessive white blood cell production leads to symptoms. Apheresis helps by removing or modifying excess white blood cells to alleviate symptoms.
In myasthenia gravis cases, abnormal antibody accumulation in plasma disrupts nerve-muscle communication. Apheresis removes plasma containing these antibodies and replaces it with a 5% human albumin protein solution.
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri offers apheresis procedures, including leukapheresis for leukemia and plasmapheresis for autoimmune diseases like myasthenia gravis. These treatments are performed by Dr. Toman with support from a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
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