Blood cancer develops in blood-generating tissues, such as the bone marrow and lymphatic systems. It disrupts blood cell division and production. The majority of blood cancers originate in the bone marrow, where stem cells give rise to red, white, and platelet-forming blood cells. Blood cancer is an illness caused by abnormal blood cells that can overpower normal cells and cause a variety of illnesses. Although serious blood cancers account for around 10% of the total number of cancer diagnoses, increased survival rates are partly due to therapeutic improvements.

Types of Blood Cancer

·         Leukemia: A disease that prevents the bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells and platelets due to the fast development of abnormal blood cells.

·         Lymphoma: A lymphatic system disorder that results in abnormal lymphocytes growing out of control in tissues and lymph nodes.

·         Myeloma: A disease that affects the plasma cells that produce antibodies, weakening the immune system.

Symptoms of Blood Cancer

·         Reduced hemoglobin, palpitations, breathlessness, pale skin, and lethargy.

·         Weight loss, unexplained weakness, appetite loss, and night sweats.

·         Intense abdominal pain.

·         Propensity for bleeding: nosebleeds, gum bleeding, easy bruising, and irregular periods.

·         Visual disturbances like headaches and blurry vision.

·         Cognitive impairments leading to confusion and dilemma.

·         Facial rash in young children with heightened infection susceptibility.

·         Enlarged lymph nodes due to recurrent infections.

·         Bone and back pain, weakened bones, and a heightened risk of fractures.

·         Reduced urine expulsion and difficulty in passing urine.

Blood Cancer Treatment in India

·         Chemotherapy: It usually involves injecting medicine intravenously, orally, or directly into the cerebrospinal fluid to kill cancer cells.

·         Biological therapy: It targets cancer cells by enhancing the immune system using biological organisms, antibodies, tumor vaccines, and cytokines.

·         Targeted therapy: It minimizes harm to healthy cells by focusing on particular characteristics of cancer cells.

·         Radiation Therapy: High-energy radiation is used in radiation therapy to target cancer cells, particularly those that have spread to the brain.

·         Bone Marrow Transplantation: Allogeneic (from a donor) or autologous (from the patient's healthy stem cells) marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells.

·         Surgery: It is sometimes performed to improve the blood count or remove an enlarged spleen.

·         Supportive treatment: It consists of growth factors to promote the generation of red blood cells, flu shots, transfusions, and drugs to manage side effects.

Blood Cancer Treatment Cost in India

The blood cancer treatment cost in India varies from about $510 to $26,000. The average cost for treatment is around $14,835. The city, entry fees, doctor costs, treatment plans, patient health, and required diagnostic tests are some of the elements that affect the total cost.

Blood Cancer Treatment Hospitals in India

The top blood cancer treatment hospitals in India are:

·         Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon

·         Medanta – The Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon

·         Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

·         Apollo Hospital, Chennai

·         Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

·         BLK Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi

·         Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Bangalore

·         Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi

·         Manipal Hospital, New Delhi