Patient Profile:
Name: Carolina
Age: 4 years old
Origin Country: Ukraine
Diagnosis: Burkitt Lymphoma
Destination: Istanbul, Turkey
Treatment: 4 cycles of sparing chemotherapy
Treatment Center: Medipol Medical Center
Carolina's journey is a testament to resilience and hope in the face of one of the most aggressive forms of cancer: Burkitt lymphoma. At just 4 years old, Carolina was diagnosed with lymphoma, and her journey from diagnosis to survival resonates deeply with families affected by cancer. It is a lymphoma success story that offers hope and a future beyond the diagnosis.
Table of Contents:
Lymphoma: Misdiagnosis and Growing Concerns
It started like any other illness—a simple cold. But when Carolina's lymph nodes started to swell, her mother, Maria, knew something was wrong. Initially, the doctors misdiagnosed it as just the flu.
"My daughter had gotten a cold, and then her neck lymph nodes enlarged. A doctor prescribed a compress for her, but it didn't work. Indeed, lymph nodes became firm," recalls Maria.
But things took a turn when Carolina's belly began to swell. The situation became even more alarming when doctors noticed that Carolina's kidneys were also enlarging.
"The surgeon prescribed antibiotics. In 3 days, a daughter's belly enlarged, and then doctors suspected that it was a more serious situation than they supposed," Maria remembers.
A complete diagnosis confirmed the worst fears: Burkitt lymphoma. The rapid progression of the disease left Maria feeling desperate, but she knew that time was of the essence. The girl's kidneys were enlarged more than twice: the size reached 18 cm, while a normal one for her age is 8 cm.
"A doctor examined Carolina. He detected that the submandibular lymph nodes were also enlarged. The clinic's staff performed such investigations as lymph node biopsy, X-ray, and CT scan. The doctors' board established Burkitt lymphoma diagnosis after all," Maria adds.
Like in many child lymphoma diagnosis stories, the doctors immediately started administering high-dose chemotherapy.
Can Childhood Lymphoma Be Cured?
There are 2 main types of lymphomas: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. They develop and respond to the treatment in different ways. Hodgkin lymphoma is a rarely diagnosed disease, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma often occurs and is represented by 30 subtypes.
One of its most aggressive types is Burkitt lymphoma. However, even with this diagnosis, it is possible to regain health and return to a normal lifestyle.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 86% is the survival rate at the initial stages of this disease. It means that 86 out of 100 children will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
👉Pediatric lymphoma stories like this one provide a platform for families to share their experiences and raise awareness about childhood lymphoma treatment options. Carolina Konyahina is one example. A little Bookimed patient who overcame Burkitt lymphoma at the age of 4 years.
My Lymphoma Treatment Story in Dnipro, Ukraine
Carolina's journey started in Dnipro, Ukraine, where she was receiving treatment for her Burkitt lymphoma. However, the situation at the hospital was far from ideal.
"There were only 2 nurses for the whole department with 35 children. They actually did not have the opportunity to change the IV drip in time. It is essential to follow the chemotherapy schedule, so I was forced to look for nurses and ask them to come," Maria recalls, describing the challenges they faced in the hospital. "And I always worried whether the drugs I'd bought were original."
The first chemotherapy cycle caused serious complications for Carolina.
"Carolina experienced brain circulation, heart, and kidney disorders. She couldn't speak or get out of bed," Maria explains, sharing the heart-wrenching details of her daughter's deteriorating condition.
At this point, Carolina's situation became critical. The oncologist suggested that Maria explore treatment options abroad, as there was a risk that Carolina wouldn't survive after the second chemotherapy cycle. Feeling helpless but determined, Maria reached out to Bookimed for assistance, hoping to find a solution that could turn their lymphoma cancer story into one of survival and recovery.
"I would have never decided to head for the treatment alone, without Bookimed's support. All these negotiations with hospital representatives seemed very difficult, and I believe I could not handle it," Carolina's mother admits.
Bookimed and Hospital Search
Amid uncertainty, Maria reached out for help. She found Bookimed, a platform that connected her with the right resources and guidance for her daughter's condition.
"I would have never decided to head for treatment alone, without Bookimed's support. All these negotiations with hospital representatives seemed very difficult, and I believe I could not handle it," says Maria, speaking to the invaluable role Bookimed played in helping them navigate the process.
The family's request was urgent, and Bookimed immediately began searching for the best treatment options.
Alyona Dybenko, Bookimed medical coordinator, comments:
"We put our best foot forward to help Carolina," recalls Alyona Dybenko, the Bookimed medical coordinator who assisted the family. "When her mom requested us, Carolina was in critical condition, and it was vital to arrange treatment fast, but many foreign hospitals do not serve patients who have already started therapy at home. However, our top partner hospital in Turkey — Medipol Medical Center — agreed to accept Carolina in 2 weeks."
Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul is a renowned, multi-specialty medical center accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Known for its advanced technology and expert care, the facility specializes in oncology, pediatrics, and other specialties. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology like the Da Vinci Surgical System and CyberKnife, ensuring precision in complex lymphoma treatments. Medipol offers comprehensive care for pediatric patients, making it a trusted choice for international patients.
- Medipol is one of the leading children's hematology oncology hospital in Turkey. The Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Center treats all lymphoma types. 91.5% is success rate of treatment with bone marrow transplant at Medipol.
- Prof. Deniz Sargin has 35 years of experience in the field of hematology oncology. Dr. Sargin heads the Hematology Department at Medipol where applies targeted therapy together with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat lymphoma patients.
- Medipol Pediatric Hematology Department is one of the leading children's oncology centers in Turkey. The Department specialists provide MIBG therapy, a high-dose radioactive agent treatment. Such a therapy is safer than traditional radiotherapy — it delivers radiation precisely to a tumor saving healthy tissues. It is effective even for advanced cancer according to the hospital’s data.
- Medipol Hospital has got accreditation from Joint Commission International, an authoritative organization evaluating world-class clinics around the world.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
Latest review
| Autologous bone marrow transplantation | $40000 |
| Bone marrow transplantation | $40000 - $130000 |
| Allogenic bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor | $105000 |
| Allogenic bone marrow transplantation from a related donor | $70000 - $80000 |
Treatment Journey: Medipol Medical Center in Turkey
The family traveled to Medipol Medical Center in Istanbul, Turkey, where they found a hospital equipped with the latest technology and a dedicated team ready to fight for Carolina's life. The hospital representatives picked up Carolina by ambulance from the Turkish airport. The girl was in a critical condition, and she needed restorative treatment.
There, she received four cycles of sparing chemotherapy that effectively stopped the tumor's growth and spread.
"We spent half a year in Turkey. I didn't need to look for a nurse or buy medications myself—everything came in time," says Maria.
The treatment plan was tailor-made for Carolina's condition, and after several cycles, doctors confirmed she was cancer-free.
The family's journey in Turkey not only saved Carolina's life but also gave them hope when it seemed like all options were exhausted.
The Power of Perseverance: A Mother's Story
Maria's story is a powerful reminder of the strength that lies in a mother's love. Her journey with Carolina wasn't easy, but it was one filled with perseverance, hope, and faith that things would improve.
"I want to say to people with the same condition: you need to believe that you can overcome all these challenges. You need to fight and look for treatment options globally," Maria advises, sharing the wisdom gained from their journey.
Their experience is a beacon of hope for families reading pediatric lymphoma stories, and Maria's words resonate deeply: keep fighting, even when the odds seem overwhelming.
How Bookimed Helped Us Along the Way
Bookimed played a crucial role in Carolina's journey. With access to over 800 hospitals worldwide, Bookimed made it easy to find the right place for Carolina's treatment.
Thanks to Bookimed, the family received:
💚 Free consultations with top specialists in lymphoma.
💚 24/7 support throughout the treatment process.
💚 Help with choosing the right hospital for lymphoma treatment.
💚 Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Childhood lymphoma diagnosis stories like this give hope to those still undergoing treatment, showcasing the resilience of individuals who have successfully fought the disease.
Your Lymphoma Journey: How Bookimed Can Assist You
Carolina's survival is a shining example of what can happen when the proper support meets the right treatment. Her story is now part of a growing collection of lymphoma survival stories that inspire hope for families battling this disease.
If you or a loved one is navigating a lymphoma diagnosis, know that you are not alone. Bookimed is here to help you find the best possible treatment options.
✅ Bookimed connects you with world-class hospitals that specialize in treating lymphoma. The platform is also useful for people, who are looking for lymphoma success stories or specific lymphoma cancer survivor stories to make up their mind about treatment options, find hope, or better understand what to expect during recovery. Reviews can be found on the Bookimed website, offering valuable insights and experiences from others who have undergone similar journeys.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375680
- Mayo Clinic. (2019). Hodgkin’s lymphoma. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375680
- American Cancer Society. Lymphoma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lymphoma.html
- American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/