Overview

Clinical Haematology services are based on an indoor, outdoor and daycare facilities at MGM hospital, Vashi. We provide special diagnostic investigations and treatment for a wide range of blood, bone marrow and spleen disorders. Both adult and paediatric well experienced haematologists and haemato-oncologists on board take care of patients of all age groups. We treat all types of anaemia, platelet disorders, enlarged lymph nodes or spleen, polycythaemia (high red cell count),bleeding and clotting disorders, iron metabolism disorders such as haemochromatosis (iron overload) and abnormal white cell counts.
The department also treats blood cancer, including conditions of leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other disorders. Our service also offers specialist transfusion advice for pregnant women, patients with special requirements and patients who refuse blood products. With a complete multidisciplinary team of haemato-oncologists, lab haemato-pathologists, infectious disease specialists, surgeons and excellent laboratory technicians, the hospital is geared to provide to the patient, utmost quality care with empathy.

  Services

The haematology OPD has experienced full time consultants and visiting consultants. The haematologist provides consultation for preliminary evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and management of diseases. After preliminary evaluation, patient may be asked for some laboratory tests and/or bone marrow examination for making appropriate diagnosis and to forecast further prognosis. Our specialist will guide you regarding the plan of action depending on your diagnosis. The Department has consultants round the week, readily suited to handle any medical emergency at any time.
Patients requiring indoor services for diagnosis and management of haematological diseases will be admitted under haematologist and will be taken care of. Patients with benign or malignant haematological disorder, whenever required, are initially admitted for stringent monitoring and clinical stabilization and then are followed up in either day care or in haematology OPD as per need. Separate isolation rooms are available for treatment of leukemia and stem cell transplant patients. Haematology department also provides extension of its expertise for indoor patients admitted under other departments as well. For example, for patients developing thrombocytopenias due to infections or other causes or patients developing DIC postoperatively, we provide consultation regarding their management.
Hospital has well- equipped, fully functional day care facility that provides chemotherapy services for OPD patients by well trained, highly efficient oncology nursing staff and chemotherapy co-ordinator. Day care also provides other services like IV iron or Vit B12 injections to patients. All the patients are monitored by experts for any untoward side effects.

  Achievement

The haematological sciences collaborative research groups which covers the work of academic and clinical departments. The work includes developing the understanding of haemoglobinopathies in adults as well as children. The department has successfully conducted heamoglobinopathies testing By HPLC Method by BIO- RAD Fully automated instrument. The department is ambitious in starting dedicated disease-wise clinics for various haematological disorders. Also we are aiming to start comprehensive haemophilia and allied diseases clinics and comprehensive thalassemia and haemoglobinopathy clinics for adult and pediatric patients in future.

  Technology & Infrastructure

The Department of Haematology provides both clinical and laboratory services for the diagnosis and treatment of all blood and blood related disorders. Our laboratory is NABL accredited, fully computerized and linked through the hospital network to all wards and GP surgeries which processes approximately 34,000 Full Blood Count tests. MGM Hospital’s Pathology Laboratory is well equipped with HPLC Retention time method on the instrument BIO-RAD VARIANT which is used as a diagnostic tool for heamoglobinopathies. Genetics department of MGM hospital is equipped for conventional karyotyping as well as FISH testing. Highly specialized haematology tests are currently outsourced as needed. Blood storage facilities are available at present which are planned to be converted to fully functional blood bank services soon.
  • Sub-specialties in clinical services include the following:
    • Haematological oncology.
    • Haemostasis and thrombosis.
    • Haemoglobinopathy(including sickle cell disease and thalassaemia).
    • Paediatric Haematology(Heamoglobinopathies).
    • Laboratory Haematology.

  FAQs


Q: What is a bone marrow test?

This is a quick (about 15 minutes) and simple procedure which can be carried out in the outpatient clinic to help with diagnosis of certain blood disorders, and sometimes other disorders. Local anaesthetic is given to numb an area of skin usually over the pelvis (just above the buttock) and a needle is used to take a small sample of bone marrow. The procedure usually only takes about 15 minutes and the results are usually available in about three days to ten days, sooner for some tests.

Q: What are the symptoms of Haematological Cancer?

The symptoms of haematological illnesses can be many and varied. Such symptoms may include unusual bleeding or infection, fatigue, shortness of breath, bone pain, enlargement of lymph glands, weight loss, night sweats and generally feeling unwell or run down.

Q: Are haematological cancers treatable?

Almost all haematological cancers can be treated and many of them can be cured by modern chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Key for successful treatment is strict compliance and regular follow up because treatment of these cancers is usually for long period.

Q: What are side effects of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone in treatment of haematological cancers but it does come with side effects which may range from nausea, vomiting to life threatening bone marrow suppression with associated infections. A haematologist takes care of these side effects and tries to augment desired effects of chemotherapy.

Q: I have iron deficiency. What food should I take to improve it?

If you eat meat, beef, liver, and shrimp are great iron-rich foods. If you are a vegetarian, you will have to get your iron from sources that are not as readily absorbable. Some of these sources are spinach, tofu, asparagus, pineapple, dried fruits and iron-enriched breads and grains. If you are not allergic, add some almonds and other nuts to your diet for a quick boost in iron.

Q: When is bone marrow transplant done?

Bone marrow transplant can be autologous (patient receives his own stem cells) or allogenic (patent receives stem cells from a donor). Autologous transplant is mostly done for multiple myeloma and lymphomas. Allogenic transplant is done for leukemias, bone marrow failure disorders, thalassemias and primary immunodeficiency etc.