Kode Venkatadri Chowdary (KVC) campus of LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) here has achieved a significant breakthrough in advanced care for retinoblastoma patients by successfully performing the first-ever Intra-arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) procedure on a 4-year-old girl with bilateral retinoblastoma eye cancer.
Despite completing a full cycle of 12 intravenous chemotherapies, the recurrence of the tumour in one eye prompted the decision to pursue IAC, which delivers potent anti-cancer drugs directly into the eye, particularly effective for retinoblastoma treatment.
While this approach is prevalent in western countries, its adoption in India is hindered by financial constraints and limited medical infrastructure. Undeterred by these challenges, Dr Anasua Ganguly, Head of the KVC Campus and Ocular Oncologist orchestrated the necessary resources and expertise to pioneer this procedure in Vijayawada, LVPEI stated in a press release.
Dr Ganguly emphasised the collaborative effort involved in the success of the procedure, acknowledging the expertise of Interventional Radiologist Dr Laxmi Prasanna K from Lalitha Hospital, Guntur; paediatric oncologist Dr Veena Akkineni from Rainbow Children's Hospital and Dr Sridevi V, senior anesthetist from Pioneer Anaesthesia Group, Vijayawada. Guidance from Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, senior oncologist, and Sai Tejaswini, Registrar from Apollo Cancer Hospital, Hyderabad, was instrumental in ensuring the correct dosage and administration of the chemotherapeutic drugs.