What are the opening hours?

Monday 09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00 Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Friday 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday 09:00 - 13:00

Dr Siva Blood Specialist - Kuala Lumpur, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Block A, Level 5, A539, 8, Jalan Bukit Pantai, Kuala Lumpur (2026)

02/03/2026

Leukaemia: What Are The Treatment Options?

Once leukaemia is confirmed, treatment is not the same for everyone.

It depends on:

- The type of leukaemia
- Whether it is acute or chronic
- The patient’s age
- Other medical conditions

Acute leukaemia requires urgent treatment.
Chronic leukaemia may sometimes be monitored first, or treatment may begin based on the situation.

The backbone of treatment for acute leukaemia is systemic chemotherapy. This involves a combination of drugs designed to destroy fast-growing cancer cells. The exact combination depends on the specific type of leukaemia. Side effects are carefully discussed before treatment begins.

Beyond chemotherapy, we now have more precise options.

Targeted therapy focuses on specific genetic or molecular changes driving the disease. Instead of treating broadly, these drugs aim directly at the abnormal mutation.

Immunotherapy works differently. It helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack leukaemic cells. Examples include:

- Monoclonal antibodies
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors
- CAR-T cell therapy

In selected patients, stem cell transplantation may be recommended. This involves replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells, either from a donor or from the patient. In some cases, radiation is given before transplantation to eliminate remaining leukaemic cells.

Watch this video to understand the different treatment options for leukaemia and how modern therapies have significantly improved outcomes.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers, stem cell transplantation, and advanced cellular therapies.

If this was helpful, like this post and share it with someone who may benefit.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com

27/02/2026

Leukaemia: How Is It Diagnosed Step by Step?

When we suspect leukaemia, diagnosis is not done in one single test.

From the first consultation to a complete diagnosis, it usually takes about three to five days.

The process starts with a very detailed history. We ask about:

- Fatigue, lethargy or palpitations that may suggest anaemia
- Recurrent infections that may point to abnormal white cells
- Easy bruising or bleeding linked to low platelets

Next comes a full physical examination. We check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck and look for an enlarged liver or spleen in the abdomen.

Then we move to blood tests.

A full blood count helps us assess:

- Haemoglobin levels
- White blood cell count
- Platelet count

If the results are suspicious, we examine a peripheral blood film. A small sample of blood is spread on glass and examined under a microscope to look for abnormal or blast cells.

The most important test is a bone marrow examination. A small sample is taken from the hip bone and analysed in detail. This allows us to:

- Study the shape and appearance of cells
- Perform molecular testing
- Detect chromosomal abnormalities
- Identify genetic drivers of the disease

In some cases, we may also perform CT or PET scans if we suspect spread. If there are concerns about involvement of the brain, a lumbar puncture is done to test the spinal fluid.

Watch this video to understand how leukaemia is diagnosed and why each step is important in confirming the type and planning the right treatment.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers and advanced molecular diagnostics.

If this was helpful, like this post and share it with someone who may benefit.

https://drsivabloodspecialist.com

16/02/2026

Leukaemia: The Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

A fever that just won’t go away.
Repeated infections despite treatment.
Bleeding or bruising for no clear reason.

These can be warning signs of leukaemia.

Many patients first notice persistent fever lasting more than a week. They may visit multiple clinics, take antibiotics, yet the fever continues.

Another common sign is recurrent infections that keep coming back even after proper treatment.

Other symptoms to watch for include:

- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Easy bruising without injury
- Gum bleeding or frequent nosebleeds
- Persistent bone or joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes

In some cases, especially certain chronic types, the liver and spleen can become enlarged. This may cause bloating and a feeling of fullness even after eating a small amount.

When it comes to acute leukaemia, there are two major red flags:

- Feeling very unwell for more than a week despite treatment
- Unexplained bleeding

These are signs that should prompt urgent medical attention.

Watch this video to understand the key symptoms of leukaemia and when you should seek medical evaluation.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers and complex blood disorders.

If this was helpful, like this post and share it with someone who may benefit.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com

12/02/2026

Leukaemia: What Causes It and Who Is at Risk?

Many people ask, “Why did this happen?”

In leukaemia, it usually begins with changes deep inside the cells of the bone marrow.

One of the main causes involves genetic and molecular changes. When chromosomes or cell structures develop abnormally, the bone marrow starts producing abnormal white blood cells.

There are also inherited conditions that increase risk. For example:

- Certain congenital disorders
- Down syndrome, which is linked to a higher risk of acute myeloid leukaemia

Environmental exposure plays a role too. Risk can increase in people who have:

- Received radiation therapy in the past
- Undergone previous cancer treatment
- Been exposed to toxic chemicals such as benzene

A weakened immune system is another important factor. Patients with conditions such as HIV or certain autoimmune diseases may have a higher risk of developing acute leukaemia.

Family history also matters. A strong history of malignancy can increase risk.

Age and gender are relevant as well. Some types are more common in children, while others are seen more often in adults. Certain leukaemias are also more frequent in males compared to females.

Watch this video to understand the key causes and risk factors for leukaemia, and who may be more vulnerable.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers and complex blood disorders.

If this was helpful, like this post and share it with someone who may benefit.

https://drsivabloodspecialist.com

10/02/2026

What is Leukaemia?

Leukaemia doesn’t start as a lump or a visible swelling.
It starts quietly in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made.

A genetic trigger causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, known as blasts. These immature cells grow very quickly and begin to overcrowd healthy blood cells.

When this happens, the body can no longer function normally. This imbalance leads to problems such as:

- Anaemia from low red blood cells
- Infections due to ineffective white blood cells
- Bleeding caused by low platelet counts

Leukaemia is not a single disease. It is classified based on how fast it progresses.

- Acute leukaemia develops rapidly and requires urgent treatment.

- Chronic leukaemia progresses more slowly and may be monitored before treatment is needed.

Some types are more common in children, while others mainly affect adults. The key is recognising the type early so the right treatment plan can be started.

Watch this video to learn what leukaemia is, how it develops in the bone marrow, and why understanding the type of leukaemia matters for treatment.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood disorders and blood cancers, including leukaemia.

If this was helpful, like this post and share it with someone who may benefit.

https://drsivabloodspecialist.com

06/02/2026

Leukaemia: Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs

Feeling unusually tired all the time? Falling sick more often than usual? Bruising or bleeding more easily?

These can be early signs of leukaemia, a condition where the bone marrow starts producing abnormal white blood cells. When this happens, the body struggles to fight infections, make enough healthy blood cells, and maintain normal clotting.

People with leukaemia may notice:

- Persistent tiredness or lethargy
- Frequent infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Fever, weight loss, or poor appetite
- Bone pain in some cases

The important thing to know is this: Leukaemia can affect both children and adults, depending on the type.

The good news?
With current medical advances available in Malaysia, leukaemia is highly treatable, especially when diagnosed early.

Watch this video to understand what leukaemia is, how it happens, the common symptoms to look out for, and why early diagnosis makes a real difference.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood disorders and blood cancers, including leukaemia.

If this was helpful, like this post and share it with someone who may benefit.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com

27/01/2026

Lymphoma: Don’t Ignore the Signs. Get Checked Early.

One message I want to be very clear about is this. If you notice swollen lymph nodes and you are unsure, please do not ignore it.

I’m Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. I see many patients who delay coming in because they think a lump is nothing serious. Sometimes it is harmless, but sometimes it can be an early sign of lymphoma.

Here are two important things I want everyone to understand.

First, swollen lymph nodes should always be checked if you are in doubt.

- Especially if the lump does not go away
- If it slowly increases in size
- Or if you are not feeling well alongside it

Some lymphomas can grow slowly and quietly. Early assessment helps us catch these conditions before they become more serious.

Second, most lymphomas are treatable.

- Many lymphomas respond very well to treatment
- Outcomes are much better when treatment starts early
- Early diagnosis can prevent complications later on

This is why I always encourage patients not to wait.

- Come forward early
- Get properly examined
- Get the right tests done
- Start treatment early if needed

Early action gives the best chance for a good outcome.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as advanced treatments including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

If you found this helpful, please like and share this post so more people know when to seek help.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com/

22/01/2026

After Treatment Will My Lymphoma Come Back?

One of the most common questions patients ask me is, “Once I’ve had lymphoma, what are the chances that it can come back?”

I’m Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Let me explain this in simple terms.

The risk of lymphoma recurring depends on several key factors.

The first factor is the histology of the lymphoma:

- Some lymphoma subtypes behave more aggressively
- Others are more indolent and less likely to recur

The second factor is how aggressive the disease was at diagnosis:

- High-grade lymphomas carry a higher risk of relapse
- Lower-grade lymphomas tend to remain in remission longer

The third factor is how the lymphoma was treated initially:

- Whether the correct treatment was given
- Whether treatment was completed fully
- Whether the disease responded well to first-line therapy

Traditionally, many lymphomas do not relapse if:

- The histology is favourable
- The disease is not aggressive
- The lymphoma was diagnosed early
- Treatment was given appropriately from the start

The risk of recurrence is higher when:

- The lymphoma has poor histological features
- The disease is aggressive
- It was already stage four or extra-nodal at diagnosis
- Initial treatment was incomplete or inadequate

This is why long-term follow-up is very important, even after treatment is completed. Regular monitoring allows us to detect any recurrence early and act quickly.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as advanced treatments including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

If you found this helpful, please like and share this post so more patients understand lymphoma recurrence and the importance of follow-up.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com/

20/01/2026

Lymphoma Myths: 4 Common Misconceptions

There are many myths and misunderstandings about lymphoma, and I’d like to clear up some of the most common ones.

I’m Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Let me address four misconceptions I hear very often.

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭: 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲

- Lymphoma can occur at any age
- It can affect children, young adults, and older adults
- Both men and women can develop lymphoma

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀

- Lymphoma is not an infection
- It cannot be spread through contact, coughing, or close proximity

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟯: 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

- Lymphoma is not transmitted through blood transfusions
- This is not how lymphoma cells spread in the body

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟰: 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮

- Healthy lifestyle choices and good nutrition can support treatment
- Reducing sugar and unhealthy fats may help overall health
- However, lifestyle changes or herbal remedies alone do not cure lymphoma
- Proper medical treatment is essential

Understanding the facts is important so patients can seek the right treatment early and avoid unnecessary fear or misinformation.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as advanced treatments including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

If you found this helpful, please like and share this post so more people have accurate information about lymphoma.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com/

16/01/2026

Do Swollen Lymph Nodes Always Mean Lymphoma?

This is another very common concern I hear from patients.

The answer is no. Not all swollen lymph nodes are related to lymphoma.

I’m Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Let me explain this clearly.

Swollen lymph nodes can happen for many reasons.

- The most common cause is infection
- Conditions like tonsillitis or throat infections can cause swollen and painful lymph nodes

In infections:

- The lymph nodes are usually tender or painful
- They do not grow rapidly
- Once the infection is treated, the lymph nodes usually shrink and return to normal

In lymphoma, the behaviour is different.

- Lymph nodes tend to grow progressively
- They are often painless
- They do not reduce in size over time
- They may continue enlarging even without infection symptoms

This is why we never jump to conclusions based on swollen lymph nodes alone.

- A detailed history is important
- A careful physical examination is needed
- Other causes must be ruled out before diagnosing lymphoma

If you or your loved ones notice lymph nodes that keep increasing in size, are not painful, or do not go away over time, it is important to get checked early.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as advanced treatments including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

If you found this helpful, please like and share this post so more people understand when swollen lymph nodes should be checked.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com/

14/01/2026

Is Lymphoma the Same as Leukaemia?

This is a very common question I get from patients. Is lymphoma the same as leukaemia?

The short answer is no. They are not the same, although they are both blood cancers.

I’m Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Let me explain the difference in simple terms.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system.

- It starts in the lymph nodes
- It affects lymphocytes, which are white blood cells involved in immunity

Leukaemia, on the other hand, is a cancer of the bone marrow.

- It starts in the bone marrow
- It affects the production of blood cells at their source

Because both conditions involve blood cells, their symptoms can sometimes overlap.

- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Recurrent infections

However, the way we treat them is different.

- The type of chemotherapy used may differ
- Treatment plans are tailored based on whether the cancer is lymphoma or leukaemia
- The disease behaviour and progression are also different

This is why getting the correct diagnosis is very important before starting treatment.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as advanced treatments including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

If you found this helpful, please like and share this post so more people understand the difference between lymphoma and leukaemia.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com/

12/01/2026

Is Lymphoma Treatable?

Many people worry about the outcome once they hear the word lymphoma.

I’m Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Let me explain what the prognosis for lymphoma generally looks like.

Lymphoma is actually one of the more treatable blood cancers.

- Most lymphomas respond well to treatment
- They are usually very sensitive to chemotherapy
- Early-stage disease has especially good outcomes

The prognosis depends on several important factors.

- How early the lymphoma is diagnosed
- The type of lymphoma on histology
- The stage of the disease at presentation

When lymphoma is picked up early:

- Treatment is more effective
- Complications are fewer
- Patients often do very well

However, if lymphoma is diagnosed at a later stage:

- The disease may spread to other organs
- Complications are more likely
- Treatment can become more complex and, in some cases, life-threatening

This is why early recognition is so important.

If you or your loved ones have symptoms such as persistent swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, please come in early, get properly assessed, and start treatment as soon as possible.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, as well as advanced treatments including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

If you found this helpful, please like and share this post so more people understand that lymphoma is treatable when caught early.

For more help visit: https://drsivabloodspecialist.com/

Dr Siva Blood Specialist - Kuala Lumpur

02/03/2026

27/02/2026

16/02/2026

12/02/2026

10/02/2026

06/02/2026

27/01/2026

22/01/2026

20/01/2026

16/01/2026

14/01/2026

12/01/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 13:00