Cancer Care: Meet our brave cancer-fighting hero, Issa

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Issa’s father shares how the family overcame their challenging journey through hope and optimism

Issa was diagnosed with neuroblastoma immediately after birth and was referred to Sidra Medicine for treatment and care.

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that develops in a child’s nerve tissue – the sympathetic nervous system. The cancer affects babies and young children and almost always develops before the age of 5.

Issa’s father said: “We spent nine months waiting to welcome our baby and it was an incredibly difficult knowing that Issa would have to immediately undergo treatment for cancer. As a parent, you worry about how they would be able to handle the chemotherapy, especially since his was a form of high-risk cancer.”

Issa’s care team, led by Dr. Chiara Cugno, Act. Division Chief and Dr. Shaikha Al Qathtani, Attending Physician from the Hematology and Oncology Department said: “Issa was treated at Sidra Medicine with a combination of chemotherapy and autologous transplantation.  The chemotherapy process, which gets rid of cancerous cells, can also destroy healthy cells and damage the bone marrow which produces blood cells. To safeguard his healthy cells, we performed an autologous transplantation.”

Sidra Medicine’s autologous transplantation involved the collection of Issa’s stem cells prior to his chemotherapy. The oncology team collected Issa’s stem cells, which were then stored and processed at Sidra Medicine’s GMP facility. Following his chemotherapy, the stem cells were prepared for re-infusion back into Issa’s bone-marrow to start producing new, healthy blood cells.

Dr. Chiara said: “This method of reinfusing a patient’s own healthy stem cells back into the bone marrow, ensures that the body’s immune system doesn’t reject the stem cells.  While Issa is now in complete remission, he will continue to receive immunotherapy treatment and care with us.”

Dr. Shaikha said: “Being able to receive the care here in Qatar, made a meaningful difference to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the family, throughout Issa’s treatment journey here with us. We are thrilled to see Issa’s progress and wish him and his family strength as they overcame this journey together.”

Issa’s father continued: “We couldn’t have asked for a better team to care for Issa, at a hospital that delivers care of the highest international standards. Thanks to the support we received, we were in turn able to support and celebrate every step and milestone of Issa’s journey as a family.”

Issa’s father’s advice to other parents: “This journey can be long and very difficult. For us, optimism was an important part of going through it. A smile and emotional support for your child are essential for every stage of their treatment. For every parent facing a childhood cancer diagnosis, may Issa’s story give you hope and reassurance for each step and every milestone.” For more details about our Hematology and Oncology division, call 4003 3333 or visit www.sidra.org