Andromachi (Machi) Scaradavou, MD

Andromachi (Machi) Scaradavou, MD

I am a pediatric hematologist and oncologist with extensive experience in the use of cord blood transplants to treat babies, children, and young adults with leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers and blood diseases.

Umbilical cord blood from healthy newborns is an excellent source of stem cells to rebuild a patient’s immune and blood systems. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, we try to present patients and their families with different treatment options, tailored to their individual situations. Cord blood has a number of advantages over blood or bone marrow from an unrelated donor. It is not necessary to find a perfect HLA (tissue type) match, making it particularly attractive for patients of ethnic minorities. Cord blood is more rapidly available, and there is a lower risk of a serious transplant complication called graft-versus-host disease, which occurs when the transplanted cells attack the normal tissues of the recipient’s body.

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My colleagues and I have a great deal of experience in research that has led to cord blood transplantation being brought from the laboratory to the clinic. We are studying new ways to use cord blood to treat diseases of the blood and bone marrow. One approach we use is to increase the number of cord blood cells by combining two units from different donors (called “double-unit transplants”).

I have spoken nationally in support of cord blood transplantation to try to get more hospitals interested in participating in cord blood donation programs. I also teach fellows and give presentations at conferences about cord blood collection and its use in transplantation.

Location

New York City

Appointments for New Patients

212-639-5954

Phone

212-639-8451

Clinical Expertise

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Cord Blood Transplantation for Hematologic Disorders

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, University of Athens Medical School (Greece)

Residencies

Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Fellowships

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Lindsley f. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center

Board Certifications

Pediatarics; Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

See My Colleagues in:

Department of Pediatrics›Bone Marrow Transplant Service

Clinical Trials Co-Investigated by Andromachi (Machi) Scaradavou

A Phase I/II Trial of Clofarabine, Melphalan, and Thiotepa Followed by an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant for the Treatment of High-Risk and/or Advanced Hematologic Malignancies

Publications by Andromachi (Machi) Scaradavou

Visit PubMed for full listing of Andromachi (Machi) Scaradavou journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

bone marrow (bone MAYR-oh)

The soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of most bones. It produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

complication (kom-plih-KAY-shun)

In medicine, a medical problem that occurs during a disease, or after a procedure or treatment. The complication may be caused by the disease, procedure, or treatment or may be unrelated to them.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

donor (DOH-ner)

In medicine, a person who gives blood, cells, tissue, or an organ for use in another person, such as in a blood transfusion or an organ transplant.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

graft-versus-host disease (... dih-ZEEZ)

A disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient. Symptoms include jaundice, skin rash or blisters, a dry mouth, or dry eyes. Also called GVHD.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

hematologist (HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

HLA

One of a group of proteins found on the surface of white blood cells and other cells that play an important part in the body's immune response to foreign substances. These antigens vary from person to person, and HLA tests are done before organ transplantation to find out if tissues match between a donor and a recipient. Also called human leukocyte antigen and human lymphocyte antigen.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh)

Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lymphoma (lim-FOH-muh)

Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One kind is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncologist (on-KAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pediatric (pee-dee-A-trik)

Having to do with children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

transplantation (tranz-plan-TAY-shun)

A surgical procedure in which tissue or an organ is transferred from one area of a person’s body to another area, or from one person (the donor) to another person (the recipient).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

umbilical cord blood (um-BIH-lih-kul KORD blud)

Blood from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. This blood contains high concentrations of stem cells (cells from which all blood cells develop).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)