Assuming you are on day 10 and Induction Chemotherapy is completed.
This is the most critical phase of the treatment. Blood counts starts falling and need constant monitoring by the doctor,
What we(attendent) should do at this time?
1>
Precaution for Attentdent:
Read my blog on
Precautions for Attendent
But at this moment i am writing this post for taking future prospects, remeber this could be a life saver move. Please do not ignore or postpone HLA test.
2> Preparation for HLA Test for Bone Marrow Transplant(BMT)
- I will write about different types of BMT in future post.
HLA Test
Q: What is HLA?
A: HLA stands for human leukocyte antigen, a group of proteins present on the surface of all cells on the human body.
Each individual carries a particular combination of proteins in the HLA set. There are different types of HLA -- A, B, C, DP, DQ and DR. We all have 2 HLA molecules of each type, inherited from either parent. Therefore, the final HLA combination serves as a molecular identifier for an individual. The immune system of the body uses the HLA combination to identify each cell in the body as their own.
When ‘foreign cells’ in the form of organ or marrow transplants are placed inside an individual’s body, a mismatched HLA is recognized and the body may reject these cells or organs. The HLA sets of the donor and the recipient must be as close a match as possible for a successful transplant.
Identical twins have the same HLA set. Parents, siblings and even unrelated individuals may also have matching HLA. Lab tests can identify the HLA type of a person and test if another individual’s HLA matches it or not.
HLA matching is an essential step before an allogeneic transplant
Q: Why should i think about Transplant at this point, i can be curable by chemotherapy?
Ans: I agree and probably most of the doctors in AIIMS might support you too. but please if the patient in younger than 60years and if you have the medical insurance or you are a government employee then there is no harm to go for this test at this time.
In case if doctors thinks about possiblities of Bone Marrow Transplant(BMT) then this you have to go through this process.
If patient is suffering from AML subtype M4, M5, M6 or M7 then this test is a must
Q: Ok,So how i should go about this Test? Does AIIMS have this facility? Any Private Lab?
Ans: Yes AIIMS have this facility, follow the following steps:
1> Your SR doc will fill a form and draw your family chart.
2> Take this form to Dept of Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics just behind the director's office.
you will meet
Dr Uma Kanga
Senior Research Scientist
Dept of Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029
Tel(O) 91 11 26594463, 26594638
Tel 9868397942 (mobile)
Fax 91 11 26588663
email : umakanga@hotmail.com
3> They will give you a date for the test - Probably it will be after 20days, Now for the patient, this test requires suffecient blood counts and no medicines in last 10days, after 20days we will be on day30th of chemotherapy, and the best time for this test. :-)
4> Who all going to be tested:
1> Patient
2> Patient Siblings : Best matching possiblities lies with them (25%)
3> Parents and Children: Depends upon your - chances are only (4%)
Note: In our case, we found the match with First Cousin (We have tested 15 people).
Please consult your family history with your doctor.
If you have any doubt please email me on
shashank.chaturvedi@gmail.com
5> Price:
Each test will cost your Rs3,000 in AIIMS for intial Test and another Rs3,000 if you have a match.
In total keep around Rs20,000 for this test.
Want to be a donor? Read my blog: http://warwithbloodcancer.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-like-register-my-self-as-bone-marrow.html
