Leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow, specifically white blood cells. Approximately 1.6% of both men and women will be diagnosed with leukaemia in their lifetime, which is rare. While it's not that common compared to other cancers, it still affects a relatively small percentage of the population.
The average cost of leukaemia treatment in India ranges from INR 11,00,000 to INR 25,00,000, while it would cost around USD 20,000 to USD 50,000 to international patients. This cost includes Chemotherapy, Bone Marrow Transplant, Pre-Diagnostic Tests, Monitoring and Follow-up, Supportive Care, etc.
Leukaemia is a type of cancer that forms in the bone marrow, where it produces an excess of unhealthy white blood cells. These abnormal white blood cells cannot fight infections and reduce the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells.
White blood cells are also known as lymphocytes, and they are a big part of our immune system. Lymphocytes are categorised into two types
The three major types of leukaemia are:
When leukaemia affects your blood cells, you might feel very tired and short of breath because of anaemia. If it reduces your platelets, you might bleed or bruise easily. And with fewer healthy white blood cells, your body will have a hard time fighting off infections.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of leukaemia:
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The type of treatment one should take depends on many factors, such as the type of leukaemia, stage and severity, patient age, and overall health.
Some of the most common types of leukaemia treatment are listed below:
Induction Chemotherapy
This chemotherapy is a common and usually the primary treatment for leukaemia. It involves the use of powerful drugs to kill the rapidly spreading cancerous cells. It is important to remember that chemotherapy does not only affect the cancer cells but also the healthy cells, leading to multiple side effects.
Bone Marrow Transplant
In bone marrow transplant (BMT), damaged or diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells. These stem cells mature into new blood cells, allowing the body to produce healthy blood again.
BMT is categorised into two types:
CAR T-Cell Therapy- the latest development
It is the process through which we harness our immune system by genetically modifying our T cells to target the tumour itself.
The cost of leukaemia treatment in India can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here are some of the key ones:
Type of Leukaemia
Four main types of leukaemia exist, and the specific type you have influences the recommended treatment, affected blood cell type, and growth rate. The types are as follows:
Treatment Type
Type of treatment | Cost (IND) | Cost (USD) |
Induction Chemotherapy | INR 5,50,000 to INR 1,100,000 lakhs | USD 10,000 to USD 20,000 |
Bone Marrow Transplant | INR 15 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs | USD 25,000 to USD 30,000 |
CAR T-Cell Therapy | Approx. INR 40 lakh | Approx. USD 77,000 |
Hospital stay
Leukaemia treatment can be expensive due to hospital stay in BMT units, as the length of stay and the need for isolation can significantly increase the overall cost. Patients need to stay for around 4 to 6 weeks. If their leukaemia comes back after a bone marrow transplant, they might need to stay in the hospital longer, making it a case of relapse, which overall affects the cost of hospital stay.
Besides the treatment, other expenses may be added to your treatment plan, such as:
After bone marrow transplant (BMT) for leukaemia, good post-transplant care is crucial for recovery and reducing the risk of complications. Here are the following points mentioned for post-bone marrow transplant care:
1. Engraftment monitoring
Your transplant team will monitor your engraftment by blood tests. They will check the count of white blood cells, absolute neutrophil count, haemoglobin, and platelets.
2. Diet
Patients can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses by making changes to their eating and drinking habits.
Some of the general advice is:
3. Supportive care
The patients are also at a high risk of infections or Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Medication plays a crucial role in preventing this. Physiotherapy may be needed to regain strength and mobility.
There are several critical illness insurance or cancer-specific plans that cover the costs of leukaemia and associated expenses such as hospitalisation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, and other related expenses.
While basic plans may not cover treatment entirely, they can cover some expenses, such as hospital stays, to some extent.
When making a claim, you will need to submit your doctor's prescription, investigation reports, admission form, and health insurance papers to the insurance company. This straightforward process ensures that you are well informed and prepared when the need arises.
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Ms. Eden Yehualashet
I was misdiagnosed with leukemia in my country. So, I came to India where Dr. Rahul Bhargava correctly diagnosed me with TB. He prescribed medication, and I am recovering well. Thank you.
Mrs. Seblework Tamru
I just wanted to say that my wife's bone marrow transplant was smoothly carried out by Dr. Rahul Bhargava. He has been a huge help to us. I am very glad we consulted him. I visited Fortis Hospital for my wife's Bone marrow transplant, and we are happy with the treatment. Everything was good, and we did not face any problems there. Thanks.
Mrs. Brendah Mubita
Anshu Timsina
Ibrahim Miringa
Leukaemia has no single cause, but risk factors include genetic disorders, exposure to radiation or benzene, smoking, certain blood disorders, family history, and age.
Leukaemia symptoms can be vague and can be easily mistaken for other illnesses, especially in the early stages. Some of the most common symptoms of leukaemia are unexplained weight loss, frequent or severe infections, easy bleeding or bruising, recurrent nosebleeds, and many more.
Individuals over the age of 65 are more at risk for leukaemia, and Smoking raises the risk of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Other risk factors include past chemo, radiation exposure, and some genes or diseases.
While a cure for leukaemia has not been developed yet, advancements in modern treatments have led to good outcomes for some people, including remission (disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer).
Leukaemia significantly impacts both your physical and emotional well-being. Physically, you might experience fatigue, weakness, and an increased risk of infections, bleeding issues, and pain. Emotionally, fear and anxiety are common due to the diagnosis and treatment process.
The prognosis of leukaemia depends upon several factors such as the type of leukemia, your age and health, specific genetic factors, response to treatment, etc.
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