Blood cancer: leukaemia treatment and cost in india

Leukaemia, which is a form of blood cancer, initiates in bone marrow and primarily affects the immature cells. Since the primary function of the cells in the bone marrow is to produce different types of blood cells, this function is compromised in the presence of leukaemia. In patients with leukaemia, the white blood cells (WBCs) … Read More.....

The absence of healthy WBCs and RBCs, thus, reduced the ability of the body to fight infections and disease and the oxygen supply to different cells, tissues and organs is affected. The production of platelets also decreases and therefore, blood does not clot properly. All these factors put leukaemia patients at an increased risk of catching infections and experience bruising and excessive bleeding.

WHAT CAUSES LEUKAEMIA?

The exact cause behind leukaemia is not yet known. However, researchers have associated this form of blood cancer with a number of factors, including:

• Smoking
• Family history
• History of chemotherapy
• Viral infections
• Exposure to high energy radiation
• Genetic disease, including Down’s syndrome
• Occupational hazards

Patients with leukaemia experience headache, weight loss, fever, chills, bone pain, tonsils, fatigue, weakness, bleeding gums and other flu-like symptoms.

HOW IS LEUKAEMIA DIAGNOSED?

Typically, a doctor orders a complete blood count (CBC) of the patient in question to diagnose leukaemia. An examination of different types of blood cells is also conducted to check for abnormality. An abnormal CBC result in the form of increase WBC count makes doctor conduct a bone marrow biopsy to confirm leukaemia diagnosis. During the bone marrow biopsy, a sample of bone marrow is removed from the pelvic bone and is examined for cancerous cells and other chromosomal abnormalities.

LEUKAEMIA TREATMENT IN INDIA

Depending on the type of leukaemia cells observed and the severity of the condition, either one or a combination of following treatment types is used to treat the patient:

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of specific class of drugs to destroy the cancer cells from a specific location affected by cancer, It is usually carried out in cycles, with each treatment phase followed by a recovery phase.

During this form of treatment, some healthy cells are also destroyed, resulting in a few side effects. However, the destroyed normal cells eventually repair themselves in some time.

Biological therapy: This leukaemia treatment in India involves the use of substances such as interferon, that alter immune system’s response to cancerous cells. That is, biological therapy makes use of specific chemicals and antibiotics to trigger immune system to act against the cancerous cells.

Radiation: Even though it is not the primary form of leukaemia treatment, it is used in some cases for treatment of leukaemia in the testicles or the central nervous system or in case of bone destruction. It involves the use of high energy radiation to kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing further.

Bone marrow transplant: This is, by far, one of the best treatment options available for treatment of leukaemia patients. A bone marrow transplant is often conducted after a few sessions of chemotherapy, which destroys all cancer cells and the healthy bone marrow. A replacement is then supplied to the patient, which is able to produce healthy blood cells.

Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be conducted for complete removal of the spleen filled with abnormal blood cells and causing a trouble in the body of the leukaemia patient.

BEST HOSPITALS FOR LEUKAEMIA TREATMENT IN INDIA

There are several hospitals for leukaemia treatment in India that offer quality medical care in affordable cost. Some of these hospitals include:

• Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi
• Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket
• BGS Global Hospital, Bangalore
• SevenHills Hospital, Mumbai
• Fortis Memorial Research Hospital, Gurgaon
• Global Health City, Chennai
• Global Hospital, Mumbai

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