About
Dr. Sathish Kumar Gopalakrishnan is a Hematologist focused on diagnosing and managing a spectrum of blood disorders, from anemias and clotting issues to blood cancers. Practicing at a specialized cancer centre within a hospital department in Sudbury, ON, he is part of a dedicated healthcare team committed to providing comprehensive hematology (blood disorders) care. His approach emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care, ensuring that adults with suspected or diagnosed blood conditions receive timely and accurate diagnoses alongside tailored treatment options. Access to advanced diagnostic tools and therapeutic modalities is a key component of the care he offers, aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life.
He graduated with a Medical Degree from Calicut University in 1999 in India and has been practicing as a Hematologist for over 7 years since 2017. Dr. Gopalakrishnan is certified as a CPSO Recognized Specialist in Hematology (Blood Disorders), reflecting his expertise and adherence to the highest standards of medical practice in Ontario. His training and certification ensure he is well-equipped to handle complex hematological conditions with evidence-based approaches and compassionate care.
Dedicated to multidisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Gopalakrishnan emphasizes personalized treatment plans grounded in current research and clinical guidelines. He is committed to supporting his patients and their families through clear communication, ongoing education, and compassionate management of their blood disorders. Fluent in English, he strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel informed and supported throughout their healthcare journey.
Dr. Sathish Gopalakrishnan has expertise in managing a wide range of conditions, including:
Hematologic Malignancies (Blood Cancers) Treated
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): A rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow affecting myeloid cells.
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) (Polycythemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythemia, Myelofibrosis): A group of chronic blood cancers where the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): A type of cancer that starts in certain blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, often managed with targeted therapies.
Benign Hematologic (Non-Cancerous Blood) Disorders Managed
- Hereditary Hemochromatosis & Other Iron Overload States: Genetic or acquired conditions leading to excessive iron accumulation in the body, requiring management to prevent organ damage.
- Von Willebrand Disease & Other Inherited Bleeding Disorders: Genetic conditions that impair the blood's ability to clot effectively, causing prolonged or excessive bleeding.
- Hemolytic Anemia (e.g., Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia - AIHA): A disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce them.
This list provides examples of common conditions treated and is not exhaustive. Cancer and blood disorders are complex, and treatment is highly individualized. For personalized advice, please discuss your specific situation with Dr. Sathish Gopalakrishnan or your referring physician.
- Second Opinion Consultations for Cancer & Blood Disorders: Providing expert second opinions on complex diagnoses and proposed treatment plans to ensure informed decision-making.
- Diagnosis & Management of Multiple Myeloma, Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia & Other Plasma Cell Dyscrasias: Specialized care for cancers arising from plasma cells, utilizing novel agents, chemotherapy, and supportive care, including stem cell transplant coordination.
- Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) & Other Platelet Disorders Management: Investigating and managing low platelet counts due to immune or other causes.
- Performance Status Assessment & Treatment Eligibility Evaluation: Evaluating a patient's overall fitness and ability to tolerate specific anti-cancer treatments.
- Comprehensive Diagnosis & Management of Anemias: Investigating and treating various types of anemia, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12/folate deficiency, hemolytic anemias (e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia), sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia.
- Management of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) (Polycythemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythemia, Myelofibrosis): Treatment strategies to control blood counts, manage symptoms, and prevent complications associated with these chronic bone marrow disorders.
- Management of Bleeding Disorders (Hemophilia, Von Willebrand Disease, Platelet Function Disorders): Care for inherited and acquired conditions that affect the body's ability to form blood clots properly, including factor replacement therapies.
Note: This list provides a general overview of services offered in Hematology (Blood Disorders). Treatment plans are highly individualized. Dr. Gopalakrishnan provides a wide array of diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive care options tailored to each patient's specific condition and needs. Please discuss with Dr. Gopalakrishnan or your healthcare team for details relevant to your care.
All medical services and treatments are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant cancer care guidelines. A referral is required.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan practices at a specialized cancer centre located in the heart of Sudbury, ON, within a hospital department that serves the Downtown Sudbury, Minnow Lake, and Ramsey Lake Area neighborhoods. The facility is conveniently situated near landmarks such as Cambrian College and New Sudbury Centre. It is accessible via GOVA Transit (Greater Sudbury Transit), making it easy for patients to reach. The centre is wheelchair accessible, ensuring inclusivity for all patients, and metered street parking is available nearby for those arriving by private vehicle.
- Are consultations and treatments with Dr. Gopalakrishnan, an Hematologist, covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Medically necessary consultations, diagnostic tests (like biopsies, imaging reviews), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, radiation therapy planning and delivery, and management of blood disorders by a licensed Hematologist such as Dr. Gopalakrishnan are generally covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON when a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is in place. Specific drug coverage for newer therapies can vary by provincial formularies and may require special authorization. It's always recommended to discuss coverage specifics with Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), Dr. Gopalakrishnan's office, the hospital's patient financial services, or the cancer care navigation services at the treatment facility.
- Do I need a referral to see Dr. Gopalakrishnan, an Hematologist?
- Yes, a referral from your family physician or another specialist is almost always required to see an Hematologist like Dr. Gopalakrishnan for assessment or treatment of cancer or significant hematological conditions. This ensures that your primary care provider is involved in your care continuum and that you are directed to the most appropriate specialist for your specific situation. Cancer care programs often have centralized intake systems that manage referrals to ensure timely access.
- What is immunotherapy and how does it work for cancer?
- Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your own immune system fight cancer. It works by boosting or changing how the immune system works so it can find and attack cancer cells more effectively. There are different types of immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines. Dr. Gopalakrishnan may recommend immunotherapy if it's an appropriate option for your type of cancer and will explain how it works and what to expect.
- Why might I need a bone marrow biopsy, and what does it involve if Dr. Gopalakrishnan recommends it?
- A bone marrow biopsy and aspiration are procedures used to collect and examine bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made. Dr. Gopalakrishnan might recommend this test to diagnose or monitor various blood disorders, including leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, anemias, or infections. The procedure is usually done on the back of the hip bone under local anesthesia. A needle is used to withdraw a small sample of liquid marrow (aspiration) and a small core of bone marrow tissue (biopsy). You may feel some pressure or brief pain.
- What is palliative care, and when might Dr. Gopalakrishnan discuss it?
- Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, like cancer or advanced blood disorders. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. It can be provided at any stage of illness, alongside curative treatments, not just at the end of life. Dr. Gopalakrishnan may discuss palliative care if you are experiencing significant symptoms, to help manage pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, or other issues, and to provide an extra layer of support.
Unit D2, 41 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON P3E 5J1
Phone: (705) 523-7100
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan is a licensed Hematologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or other specialist is required for most consultations and treatments under the provincial health plan.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Gopalakrishnan-Sathish-Kumar/0261735-114069