Doctors ‘cure’ four-year-old of cancer that caused his eyes to bleed and pop out
A FOUR-year-old boy who suffered from a rare condition that caused his eyes to bleed and pop out has finally been cured, doctors say.
Sagar Dorji, from Lakhimpur in the north eastern India, was diagnosed with leukaemia, a form of blood cancer, last year.
His parents were unable to afford treatment but, after his story made international headlines, health officials in Assam, India, flew his, to a private hospital in Bangalore where he received life-changing treatment.
Medics at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre diagnosed Sagar with acute myeloid leukemia - a type of cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal blood cells - and started him on a course of chemotherapy.
Dr Sunil Bhat, who supervised the treatment, said he responded well to the treatment.
They later performed a bone marrow transplant, donated by his nine-year-old sister, Pinki.
But although the treatment has cured Sagar, doctors remain fearful his vision may have been permanently damaged.
Dr Bhat said: “He has already undergone successful BMT and is now discharged from the hospital.
“We don't know how much damage has happened in the eyes.
“If the cornea is damaged, it can be fixed. But if the damage is from inside, it would be a challenging task to recover his sight.”
Sagar’s medical bills have cost around £250,000 so far.
While the government took care of the treatment cost, his family were still left with travel expenses and after-care costs.
A crowdfunding page set up five months ago raised money to help the struggling family afford it.
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Parents, Humbahadur Dorji and Kusum Dorji said they were relieved to see their little boy smiling again.
Dad, Humbahadur, said: “We are grateful to the state government and all the people who donated for Sagar's treatment.
“It was really heartening to see how the people from across the world donated for Sagar's treatment even before the Assam government decided to pitch in.
“I don't know how to thank you all. But it is because of your help and generosity that my child back from the jaws of death.
“We will remain indebted to you all our life for your generosity.”
What is leukaemia?
Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects cells in bone marrow and attacks the immune system.
In most cases of leukaemia, there is no obvious cause. It leads to the body making too many abnormal white blood cells and means the body is less likely to be able to defend itself against infection.
The disease is often classified as what type of cell is affected (myeloid or lymphatic) and how it progresses (acute or chronic). The four main types of leukaemia:
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia (ALL) - A rapidly progressing form of the disease. More common in children.
- Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) - Rapidly progressive. More common in adults.
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) - Slowly progressing form and more common in adults.
- Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) - Progresses slowly and is more common in adults.
Symptoms: There are no specific signs or symptoms which would allow for a doctor to make a diagnosis without lab tests. But you may experience:
- anaemia
- weakness and tiredness
- more frequent infections
- fever
- bleeding and bruising
How does leukaemia affect the eyes? The systemic disease can also affect the eyes, because the eyes can be a sanctuary for leukaemic cells. Patients can develop retinal tumours that can bleed, as well as swelling of the optic nerve, or cells in the eye. And tumours called "chloroma" can also form around the eyes.
Mum, Kusum, wells up when she talks about her son’s recovery.
She said: “I cannot express in words how happy I am.
"I am grateful to everybody who has helped in Sagar's treatment process.
“He has been cured of the life-threatening cancer.
“Now, I pray to God to return his vision too.”
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