Dr. Purna Kurkure Pediatric Oncology,

Doctor Overview

• Full Name & Designation: Dr. Purna Kurkure – Senior Consultant, Pediatric Oncologist
• Specialization(s): Pediatric Oncology, Childhood Solid Tumors, Cancer Survivorship Programs
• Years of Experience: Over 53 years
• Current Hospital/Institution Affiliation: SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai

Dr. Purna Kurkure is a nationally renowned pediatric oncologist with over five decades of clinical excellence in managing childhood cancers. Formerly associated with Tata Memorial Hospital, she has been instrumental in shaping pediatric oncology protocols in India. Her contributions span beyond treatment, focusing deeply on holistic care, survivorship, and pediatric cancer research.

Educational Background

• MBBS
• MD in Paediatrics – Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai (1979)
• Diploma in Child Health (DCH)
  
• Fellowship in Paediatrics – Indian Academy of Pediatrics

Key Expertise Areas

✔ Pediatric Solid Tumors
Extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of complex childhood cancers such as Neuroblastoma, Wilms’ Tumor, and Pediatric Sarcomas, using protocol-driven and evidence-based approaches.

✔ Childhood Leukemia and Lymphomas
Specialized in managing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and various forms of Non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s Lymphomas, with a focus on maximizing cure rates while minimizing toxicities.

✔ Management of Late Effects from Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy
Leadership in creating structured pathways for identifying, preventing, and managing long-term treatment-related complications, including endocrine disorders, neurocognitive effects, and growth delays in pediatric cancer survivors.

✔ Long-term Follow-up & Cancer Survivorship Programs
Architect of innovative Survivorship Care Models that ensure comprehensive follow-up care, focusing on developmental milestones, educational reintegration, and psychosocial well-being of survivors.

✔ Family Counseling & Holistic Support
Strong advocate for family-centered care, providing psychological counseling, emotional resilience training, and educational support to families throughout the cancer journey—ensuring compassionate, integrative care beyond the clinical setting.

Signature Treatments & Programs

• Development of Survivorship Clinics
  Pioneered comprehensive survivorship programs to monitor late effects, support rehabilitation, and ensure quality of life in pediatric cancer survivors.
• Protocol-Based Chemotherapy for Childhood Solid Tumors
  Instrumental in standardizing treatment regimens, improving survival outcomes through evidence-based and uniformly applied chemotherapy protocols.
• Personalized Long-Term Care Planning
  Advocated for individualized, multidisciplinary follow-up plans tailored to each survivor’s developmental and psychosocial needs.
• Monitoring Therapy-Related Complications in Growing Children
  Led initiatives focused on early detection and management of long-term side effects, addressing the unique challenges faced by pediatric patients undergoing cancer therapy.

Professional Experience

Current Position

Senior Consultant & Chair – Pediatric Oncology
SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai

• Leading a multidisciplinary team in delivering cutting-edge pediatric cancer care.
• Focused on integrated survivorship models, innovation in treatment pathways, and capacity-building in pediatric oncology.

Past Position

Senior Consultant – Pediatric Oncology
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

• Served for over 33 years, culminating as Head of the Pediatric Oncology Department.
• Pioneered clinical protocols, research initiatives, and national training programs for pediatric cancer specialists.
• Played a key role in establishing India’s framework for childhood cancer care.

Clinical Contributions

• Treated thousands of pediatric cancer patients successfully across India with evidence-based protocols.
• Introduced survivorship models and follow-up care pathways focusing on developmental milestones and late effects.
• Played an active role in shaping national pediatric oncology practices with emphasis on holistic care and family support.

Leadership & Affiliations

• Served 33 years at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai; retired as Head of Pediatric Oncology in 2015.
• President (2007–2010), SIOP Asia; chaired the 2007 SIOP Congress, Mumbai.
• Consultant, SIOP Pediatric Oncology subcommittee in Developing Countries, now part of SIOP Global Health Network.
• Since 2012, active Executive Council Member and Treasurer, Asian Paediatric Haematology Oncology Group (APHOG).
• Founding Member & Co-convenor, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Chapter, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP); served as Treasurer, Secretary, and President (1987–1999).

Current Roles:

• President, Indian Society of Neuro Oncology
• Joint Secretary, Central IAP
• Joint Managing Trustee, focused on cancer survivorship initiatives

Awards & Recognitions

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognized for her extraordinary contributions to pediatric oncology in India, Dr. Kurkure received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and National Cancer Foundations.
• Dr. B.C. Roy National Award – India’s highest medical honor, awarded for her pioneering work in pediatric cancer care and shaping clinical protocols across the nation.
• ICMR Recognition – Honored by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for her research excellence and commitment to childhood cancer treatment innovations.
• UICC Global Acknowledgment – Acknowledged by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for her efforts in advancing pediatric oncology on a global platform.
• St. Jude India ChildCare Centers – Under her visionary leadership, these centers—offering free accommodation and supportive care for children undergoing cancer treatment—received international acclaim.
• Invited Faculty – International Conferences – A frequent speaker and invited expert at global pediatric oncology forums, contributing to knowledge exchange and capacity building worldwide.

Research & Publications

• 184+ Published multiple peer-reviewed articles on pediatric cancers
• Focused research on survivorship and late effects of cancer therapy
• Contributor to national child health policy and pediatric oncology guidelines
  For example:

Dwivedi, Aditi & Gollamudi, Venkata & Shah, Sneha & Prasad, Maya & Parambil, Badira & Qureshi, Sajid & Laskar, Siddhartha & Khanna, Nehal & Patel, Vasundara & Baheti, Akshay & Chichra, Akanksha & Manglani, Mamta & Sharma, Ratna & Patil, Rajesh & Misra, Ruchira & Pandrowala, Ambreen & Kini, Pranoti & Kurkure, Purna & Chinnaswamy, Girish. (2024). Real-world outcomes of children treated for high-risk neuroblastoma and the challenge in identifying the ultra-high-risk. Pediatric Hematology Oncology Journal. 9. S4. 10.1016/j.phoj.2024.11.117.

Li, Chi-Kong & Kurkure, Purna & Arora, Ramandeep & Chen, Bow & Kirgizov, Kirill & Okamoto, Yasuhiro & Seksarn, Panya & Tang, Yongmin & Yoo, Keon & Agarwal, Bharat & Chan, Godfrey & Dalvi, Rashmi & Hori, Hiroki & Khan, Muhammad & Yu, Alice & Nakagawara, Akira. (2023). Current Challenges of Asian National Children’s Cancer Study Groups on Behalf of Asian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Group. JCO global oncology. 9. e2300153. 10.1200/GO.23.00153.

Patient-Centered Care Philosophy

“For every child fighting cancer, we strive to provide not just treatment but hope, empathy, and support for the entire family.” – Dr. Purna Kurkure

She is known for her calm demeanor and deep involvement in both clinical and emotional care, ensuring families feel supported throughout their journey.

What Families Say – Testimonials

1. Singh, Mumbai
   “Dr. Kurkure gave my daughter a second chance at life. Her calm and warm nature helped us through the toughest days.”
2. Patel, Pune
   “She not only treated my son’s cancer but supported our family emotionally. We’re forever grateful for her kindness.”
3. Thomas, Dubai
   “We flew to India for treatment under Dr. Kurkure. Her reputation is global for a reason—she’s simply the best.”
4. Banerjee, Kolkata
   “Her vast experience and personal approach made all the difference. My child is now in remission and thriving.”

Advanced Treatment Approach

At the forefront of pediatric oncology innovation, our care model blends evidence-based protocols with compassionate, child-centric care.

• Cancer Rounds Team: Multidisciplinary tumor board discussions ensure personalized, precise, and timely treatment decisions. These collaborative rounds play a pivotal role in aligning oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pediatric specialists for optimal care planning.
• Survivor Support Clinics: Specialized units for long-term follow-up, focused on monitoring late effects, rehabilitation, and guiding childhood cancer survivors through life after treatment.
• Psychological Counseling & Education: Dedicated psycho-oncology services provide emotional support and counseling for both young patients and their caregivers, reducing distress and improving coping strategies during and after treatment.
• Structured Follow-Up Pathways: Tailored protocols to track developmental milestones, academic reintegration, and psychosocial recovery, ensuring holistic survivorship care.

Practice & Consultation Access

• Location: SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai
• Consultation Hours: Monday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
• Booking: Available via the Cancer Rounds Team for national & international appointments
• Consultation Fees: Case-dependent; personalized plans available

Treatment Cost Estimates

(Indicative – Actual costs may vary based on treatment plan and individual case needs)

International Patient Assistance

Languages Spoken: English, Hindi
Virtual Consultations: Available for overseas patients via Cancer Rounds
Services Offered: Visa assistance, local accommodation, interpreter services

FAQs – Frequently Asked by Parents

Q1. What pediatric cancers does Dr. Kurkure treat?

– She treats all childhood cancers, including solid tumors, leukemias, lymphomas, and manages therapy-related complications.

Q2. How do I book a consultation?

– Appointments can be booked via the Cancer Rounds coordination team for hassle-free scheduling.

Q3. Are online consultations available?

– Yes, she offers virtual consultations for families residing outside Mumbai or abroad.

Q4. What makes her unique as a doctor?

– Her unmatched 53+ years of experience, patient-first approach, and national contribution to pediatric oncology care.

Q5. Do international patients receive special assistance?

– Yes, comprehensive international support including documentation, travel, stay, and follow-up is facilitated through Cancer Rounds.