22-07-2025
Cancer survivor's kidney saves son's life
A cancer survivor gave a new lease of life to his son by donating one of his kidneys, after his son was diagnosed with Alport syndrome— a rare genetic disorder that affects the functioning of the kidney. A team of nephrologists and urologists performed the transplant at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), Visakhapatnam.
The procedure saved the young man from undergoing regular dialysis.
The 37-year-old recipient, Yedla Lakshmanudu said: 'We are from Pithapuram. Six months ago, I had vomiting twice and was taken to a hospital in our town. I was diagnosed with kidney disease and was on dialysis for two months. Subsequently, I was referred to AINU and came here. The doctors informed me that I had to undergo kidney transplant. My father, Yedla Paidiyya, despite having undergone cancer treatment in the past, agreed to donate his kidney. After the surgery, I was kept under observation for eight days. I am fine now and back to my routine chores. My father is also fine.'
Dr. Uday Dipakrao Gajare, consultant nephrologist, AINU, said that Alport syndrome affects one or two individuals per lakh . The disorder affects kidney function, hearing and vision. In Lakshmanudu's case only the kidneys were affected. The X-linked variant found in Lakshmanudu is typically passed on from mother to son, with daughters being carriers.
Dr. G. Ravindra Varma, senior consultant urologist, transplant surgeon, and MD of the hospital, said removal of one of the two kidneys does not affect a healthy donor's day-to-day functioning. Kidney transplant from live, and related donor is more successful than a cadaver transplant. Hence, when live blood relations with matching group are available, it was always better to go for live donors.
Dr. Amit Saple, senior consultant urologist, transplant surgeon and executive director of the hospital, also addressed the media.
