Medical Oncology/Hematology

The division of medical oncology in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar is currently under the department of medical oncology /hematology. Although the department is in existence since 2016 , the division of medical oncology was made functional only in February 2022 after the joining of two faculty members ; one associate professor ,Dr.Sourav Kumar Mishra, and one assistant professor Dr. Ilavarasi Vanidassane.

The division of medical oncology is currently functioning out of the G block where there is a dedicated day care and OPD complex.The registrations for medical oncology OPDs are done on Monday ,Wednesday and Friday in the G block itself.Day care activities are conducted on all week days .A separate space for running the medical oncology activities has helped immensely in the overall growth and functioning of the division and the department is indebted to the hospital administration for their generous help.

The division has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception. This is evident form the daily OPDs, day care chemotherapies and IPD admissions. The OPD census was 210 in the month of March 2022 and has exponentially increased to 1300 in the month of august. Similarly, the day care chemotherapy census increased to 600 in august in comparison to 22 in the month of march.

This division mainly deals with solid and haematological malignancies in adult patients. Chemotherapies, targeted therapies , immunotherapies are offered on day care and in patient basis.A seven bedded dedicated haematology/medical oncology ICU caters to the most sick of cancer patients.

A departmental inspection was carried out for eligibility to start the DM course in Medical oncology on 7th of July 2022.The experts have found the existing facilities optimal to start the DM course in medical oncology with 2 students per year.

Message from Head of the Department/Division :  Hematology is the study of blood and blood-forming organs, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the blood, bone marrow. Very few subjects in the field of Medicine has grown so rapidly over last 20 years due to tremendous research, development of new molecular specific diagnostic tests and availability of newer targeted drugs in the management of haematological disorders. Majority of children and young adults with the diseases like Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia(ALL), Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia(APML), Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Burkitt’s lymphoma, can be long term survivors. Discovery of Tyrosine kinase inhibitor like Imatinib and other second line drugs, have revolutionized the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia(CML), where the only curative treatment before 20 years was Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation. Specific Molecular tests like detection of Measurable Residual disease (MRD) in various malignant diseases like Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, Multiple Myeloma and molecular monitoring of targeted genes in CML and APML have been available to stratify the treatment. Discovery of monoclonal antibody like anti CD20 antibody have increased the progression free survival of the commonest type of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.. Since Matched Sibling Donor transplantation donors are only available in 30% patients, alternative modes of transplantations like Haploidentical and Matched Unrelated Stem Cell Transplantations have given a new life to the patients. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell(CAR T therapy) has been in the pipeline for refractory malignant hematological disorders. Availability of Recombinant Factor Concentrates in treatment of bleeding disorders and newer drugs in management of thrombosis have given more treatment options. Availability of antenatal diagnosis for Prevention of  Hemoglobinopathy and newer drugs in treatment of Beta Thalassemia Major and Sickle cell anaemia have improved the quality of life in these chronic haematological disorders.  Gene therapy trials have been going on in diseases like Beta Thalassemia Major , Sickle Cell Anaemia and Haemophilia where permanent cure could possibly be achieved.  

Major Achievements :-

        (a)  The dept. runs DM in Clinical Haematology (three year post-doctoral course) from                            

        January 2019.

        (b)   Integrated Undergraduate  MBBS teaching classes.

        (c)   Bedside Clinical Classes for undergraduate students.

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        (d)  Teaching of Post Graduate students of different disciplines.

        (e) The department is also involved in teaching of  B.Sc Nursing and other paramedical        

        students.

        (f)    Inter-departmental seminars with Pathology, Paediatric Surgery, Surgical oncology,     

        Radiology and Radiotherapy departments.

Faculty of the Department (for Each Faculty)/Senior Official :- 

There are three faculties posted in the department :- 

       (a)   Dr. Prabodha Kumar Das  -    Details attached as appendix A.

       (b)   Dr. Sonali Mohapatra        -    Details attached as appendix B.

       (c)   Dr. Ashutosh Panigrahi     -    Details attached as appendix C.

       (c)   Dr Debasish Sahoo     -    Details attached as appendix D.

       (c)   Dr Sourav Kumar Mishra     -    Details attached as appendix E.

       (c)   Dr Illavarasi Vanidassane     -    Details attached as appendix F.