Pune, Maharashtra July 08: For 46-year-old Ritik Mehra, a resident of Hadapsar and a mechanical engineer, a routine annual health check-up in January 2026 turned into a life-changing moment. Despite having no symptoms and continuing his regular work routine, blood tests revealed unusually low haemoglobin levels. Further investigations confirmed IgA Lambda Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
“The hardest part was not the treatment—it was accepting the diagnosis,” said Ritik Mehra. “I was leading a normal life and had no symptoms. Suddenly learning that I had cancer was difficult to process. My wife remained positive throughout and encouraged me to focus on recovery. The treatment and transplant journey were much smoother than I had imagined, and today I am gradually returning to my normal routine.”
Following the diagnosis, Ritik underwent three cycles of chemotherapy before doctors recommended an autologous stem cell transplant, a procedure that uses a patient’s own stem cells to restore healthy blood cell production after high-dose chemotherapy.
He was admitted to Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar – A network hospital of Manipal Hospitals on 15 May 2026. After receiving high-dose chemotherapy, his previously collected stem cells were reinfused on 16 May 2026. The procedure was completed successfully without complications, and he was discharged on 2 June 2026 with an excellent recovery.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Chandrakant Lahane, Consultant Haematologist & Hemato-Oncologist, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, said, “Multiple myeloma can often remain undetected in its early stages because patients may not experience obvious symptoms. In this case, routine screening played a crucial role in early diagnosis. Autologous stem cell transplantation remains one of the most effective treatment options for eligible myeloma patients, helping achieve deeper remission and improved long-term outcomes.”
The case is particularly significant as it marks a major milestone in the hospital‘s hematology services, with Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, successfully delivering Bone Marrow Transplant care and strengthening access to advanced blood cancer treatment for patients across Hadapsar, Magarpatta, Kharadi, Wanowrie, Handewadi, Saswad, Baramati, Akluj, Solapur and surrounding regions.
According to the Indian Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ISBMT), India recorded 26,843 bone marrow and stem cell transplants between 1983 and 2022. However, experts estimate that while nearly 39,000 patients require transplants annually, only around 2,000 procedures are performed each year.
Commenting on the importance of expanding transplant services, Dr. Shashikant Apte, Director – Hematology, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Nagar Road, who had guided throughout the case said, “Strengthening regional transplant centres is essential to ensure that more patients receive timely, potentially curative treatment closer to home. The successful establishment of transplant services at Hadapsar reflects our commitment to expanding access to advanced haematology care.”
Mr. Saghir Siddiqui, Regional Director – West, Manipal Hospitals, added, “This successful transplant reflects our commitment to improving access to highly specialized cancer care. Expanding regional capabilities will play an important role in ensuring more patients can access timely, life-saving treatment.”