Dr Siva Blood Specialist - Kuala Lumpur

Dr Siva Blood Specialist - Kuala Lumpur I’m Dr. Sivakumar Palaniappan, Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

I provide expert diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of blood disorders, including anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and clotting or platelet abnormalities.

31/03/2026

Leukaemia: Can Patients Live a Normal Life After Treatment?

A diagnosis of leukaemia can feel overwhelming.

But many patients go on to live a normal, active life after treatment.

With proper treatment and follow-up, patients who achieve remission are often able to return to their daily routines, including work, family life, and regular activities.

The key is ongoing care and awareness.

Even after successful treatment, patients need to stay vigilant. This includes being mindful of:

- Daily habits and overall health
- Diet and nutrition
- Exposure to harmful chemicals or carcinogens

These steps help reduce risks and support long-term health.

Regular follow-up with your doctor is also important to monitor for any changes and ensure the disease remains under control.

The goal of treatment today is not just survival, but helping patients return to a good quality of life.

Watch this video to understand what life after leukaemia treatment looks like and how patients can stay healthy long-term.

Dr Sivakumar Palaniappan is a Consultant Haematologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, specialising in blood cancers and long-term patient care after treatment.

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

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

27/03/2026

Anaemia and Leukaemia: Is There a Link?

Many people worry that having anaemia may increase the risk of getting leukaemia.

This is a common misunderstanding.

Having anaemia does not mean you are more likely to develop leukaemia. There are many different causes of anaemia, and most of them are not related to cancer.

However, anaemia can sometimes be a sign of leukaemia, especially in acute cases.

Patients with acute leukaemia often present with low haemoglobin levels because the bone marrow is not producing normal blood cells properly. When abnormal white cells take over the bone marrow, the production of red blood cells can drop, leading to anaemia.

This means the relationship goes the other way.

Anaemia does not cause leukaemia, but leukaemia can cause anaemia.

Because anaemia has many possible causes, persistent symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, infections, or unexplained bleeding should always be checked properly instead of assuming it is simple iron deficiency.

Watch this video to understand the difference between anaemia as a symptom and anaemia as a risk factor for leukaemia.

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

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

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

25/03/2026

Leukaemia: Can It Come Back After Treatment?

One of the biggest concerns after treatment is whether leukaemia can return.
The answer is yes, relapse can happen, but the risk is different for every patient.

Some patients remain in remission for many years, while others may experience the disease coming back. The likelihood depends on several factors, especially the type of leukaemia and the genetic changes involved.

Certain molecular mutations are considered high-risk. When these mutations are present, the chance of relapse can be higher, which is why treatment plans are often more aggressive for these patients.

Another factor is what happens after remission. Exposure to harmful chemicals or carcinogens may increase the risk of the disease returning, especially in patients who already had a high-risk form of leukaemia.

Because of this, patients are monitored closely even after successful treatment. Regular follow-up tests help detect relapse early so that treatment can start again as soon as possible.

Watch this video to understand why leukaemia can relapse and what determines the risk after treatment.

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

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

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

20/03/2026

Salam sejahtera kepada pesakit-pesakit saya. Ingin saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan selamat Hari Raya Aidlfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin. Terima kasih.

18/03/2026

Leukaemia Treatment: Is Chemotherapy Always Needed?

When people hear the word “leukaemia,” one of the first concerns is chemotherapy.

Is it always required?

For patients with acute leukaemia, chemotherapy is usually a key part of treatment. It helps to quickly control the disease and reduce the number of cancer cells.

This step is important because it prepares patients for further treatment with curative intent, such as stem cell transplantation.

However, chemotherapy is not the only option available today.

Modern treatment often includes additional therapies alongside chemotherapy. These include targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which are selected based on the patient’s specific disease profile.

Targeted therapy focuses on the genetic changes driving the cancer, while immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack leukaemic cells.

The exact treatment plan depends on the type of leukaemia and the patient’s condition. The goal is always to choose the most effective combination for the best possible outcome.

Watch this video to understand when chemotherapy is needed for leukaemia and how newer treatments are improving outcomes.

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

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

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

13/03/2026

Leukaemia: Does It Only Affect Children?

Many people believe leukaemia is mainly a childhood disease.

That is not true.

Leukaemia can affect people of any age, including children, adults, and the elderly. It can also occur in both men and women, and in people with or without other medical conditions.

What is true is that certain types of leukaemia are more common at different ages.

For example, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is seen more often in children and younger patients.
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), on the other hand, is more commonly diagnosed in adults, especially in older age groups.

Because different types occur at different ages, proper diagnosis is very important. The treatment plan depends on the exact type of leukaemia, not just the patient’s age.

Anyone with persistent symptoms such as unexplained fever, fatigue, infections, or bleeding should get checked, regardless of age.

Watch this video to understand who can develop leukaemia and why age alone does not determine the diagnosis.

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

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

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

11/03/2026

Leukaemia vs Lymphoma: What’s the Difference?

Many people think leukaemia and lymphoma are the same disease.
They are not.

Both are cancers of the blood and immune system, but they start in different parts of the body.

Leukaemia begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced.
The bone marrow starts making abnormal white blood cells, which then enter the bloodstream and interfere with normal blood cell production.

Lymphoma, on the other hand, starts in the lymph nodes.
In lymphoma, abnormal lymphocyte cells grow inside lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue, often causing swelling of the glands.

Because they develop in different places, the way the disease behaves can also be different.

Both conditions are treated using systemic chemotherapy, but the exact drugs used are not the same. Treatment plans depend on the type of disease, the stage, and how aggressive it is.

The outcome can vary from patient to patient, which is why proper diagnosis is very important before starting treatment.

Watch this video to understand the key differences between leukaemia and lymphoma and why they are treated differently.

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

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

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

09/03/2026

Leukaemia Prognosis: What Outcomes Can Patients Expect Today?

Many people still think a diagnosis of leukaemia means there is little hope.
That is no longer true.

With the medical advances available today, especially in 2026, the outlook for many patients with leukaemia has improved significantly. Modern treatments, targeted therapies, and stem cell transplantation have changed the way this disease is managed.

The overall prognosis depends on several important factors. These include the type of leukaemia, how advanced the disease is at diagnosis, and the specific molecular or genetic changes involved.

Some patients respond very well to treatment, while others may need more intensive therapy. What makes the biggest difference is how early the condition is detected and how quickly treatment begins.

Early diagnosis allows doctors to plan the most suitable treatment and gives patients the best chance of a good outcome.

If you notice persistent symptoms such as unexplained fever, fatigue, infections, or bleeding, it is important to get checked early rather than wait.

Watch this video to understand the prognosis for leukaemia today and why early diagnosis plays a crucial role in improving survival.

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

05/03/2026

Leukaemia Treatment: How Long Does It Take?

One of the most common questions after a diagnosis is: “How long will treatment take?”

For most patients with acute leukaemia, treatment usually begins with systemic chemotherapy. This is the first step used to control the disease and reduce the number of cancer cells in the body.

From there, treatment is adjusted depending on the patient’s results. Doctors analyse molecular mutations and cytogenetic findings to determine whether additional therapies should be introduced.

In many cases, targeted therapy may be added to attack the specific genetic changes driving the disease.

Patients are closely monitored throughout treatment. If chemotherapy alone is not achieving the desired response, additional treatments may be introduced, including immunotherapy.

For many patients with acute leukaemia, the ultimate goal is curative treatment through stem cell transplantation.

In this process, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy often act as a bridge to transplantation, helping bring the disease under control before the transplant takes place.

From the start of treatment to reaching remission and undergoing transplantation, the overall treatment journey typically takes about six months to one year.

Even after remission, patients continue to be monitored carefully for any signs that the disease may return.

If relapse occurs, newer therapies may be used. These can include advanced immunotherapy treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy, and treatment may extend for another one to two years depending on the response.

Watch this video to understand the typical treatment sequence for acute leukaemia and why treatment often takes many months.

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

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

Address

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Block A, Level 5, A539, 8, Jalan Bukit Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100

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

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