Visakhapatnam, 22 February 2026.

Historic First in India: Tandem Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Rare Pediatric Brain Tumor Achieved at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Tata Memorial Centre Unit, Mumbai under Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India, Visakhapatnam

This advanced treatment is a planned two-stage procedure in which the patient receives consecutive cycles of high-dose chemotherapy, each followed by reinfusion of their own previously collected stem cells. Designed to achieve deeper and more durable remission in certain aggressive cancers, the entire process is typically completed within a period of six months, marking a significant milestone in pediatric oncology care in the country.

Also known as double autologous transplant, this was carried out at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Tata Memorial Centre, Visakhapatnam for a 3 years old girl diagnosed with a brain tumor- Embryonal Tumor with Multi-layered Rosettes (ETMR). Embryonal Tumor with Multi-layered Rosettes (ETMR) is one of the rarest and most aggressive malignant brain tumors seen in early childhood. Even with aggressive multimodal therapy, long-term survival historically remained dismal. However, advances in surgical precision, high-dose chemotherapy strategies, and autologous stem cell rescue have shown potential in improving outcomes. 

Our patient underwent surgery followed by aggressive chemotherapy at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and was referred to Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Visakhapatnam for the Tandem Autologous Transplant since she hails from Andhra Pradesh.  At HBCHRC, she received additional chemotherapy followed by double autologous transplant between Dec. 2025 - Jan. 2026.  Post 2nd Transplant she was discharged yesterday without any significant side effects related to transplant. 

ETMR Brain tumor being very aggressive in nature, the outcomes are dismal with conventional treatments. However, if patient undergoes aggressive chemotherapy and tandem autologous transplant, there is a substantial improvement in outcomes with approximately 50-60% at 5 years survival. The key to success is “a dedicated team of experts including Oncologists, state-of-art department’s including hematopathology, transfusion medicine, Onconurse, dedicated supportive staff and patient caregivers in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit”. During the treatment one of the major challenges is to ensure early intervention for severe side effects and supportive treatment.

This wouldn’t have been possible but for all the support provided by Medical and General Administration including stay logistics, financial support received from ImPaCCT foundation, Southern Railways, patient welfare funds of TMC/ HBCHRC Visakhapatnam and unparalleled guidance from Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of ACTREC/ TMC.

To date, there have been no published reports from India documenting a Tandem Transplant for ETMR, making this achievement likely the first of its kind in the country. This milestone represents a significant accomplishment for Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC), Visakhapatnam, and stands as a strong testament to its capability in delivering aggressive and intensive cancer treatments across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions.

“In 2025 alone, more than 9,000 newly registered cancer patients have benefitted from comprehensive cancer care services at our centre, including 30 bone marrow transplants. This underscores the fact that patients from this region no longer need to travel to distant metropolitan cities to access state-of-the-art cancer treatment,” said Dr. Umesh Mahantshetty, Director, HBCH&RC, Visakhapatnam.

With dedicated units of Paediatric Oncology, Medical Oncology including BMT, Hematopathology, Transfusion Medicine and 5 bedded BMT Unit, a 200 bedded dedicated new Block for Children and Blood Cancers with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities is currently under construction and will be operational by 2027.

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