Blood​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ cancer ranks among the most severe and traumatic types of cancer that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. However, due to recent innovations in medicine, the survival rate of such patients has risen dramatically - mainly in India, where, apart from being of world standards, medical facilities are much cheaper than in the West.

This handbook comprises all the information pertinent to blood cancer treatment in India, starting with the understanding of the disease and its types and ending with leading hospitals, costs, and recovery.

What is Blood Cancer?

Blood cancer or hematologic cancer, is a cancer that originates in the bone marrow where blood is made. The disease develops when abnormal blood cells reproduce without control, thus, invading the domain of normal blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets), by which they carry out the general functioning of the body.

Types of Blood Cancer

There are mainly three types of blood cancer, as you can see below:

• Leukemia:​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ bone marrow and blood are impaired by the disease. In this condition, huge numbers of abnormal white blood cells are multiplied, and as they are defective, the body's defense against infections is lowered. 

• Lymphoma: The disease source is the lymphatic system, which is the body’s infection-fighting system. The major types of lymphomas are Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s.  

• Multiple Myeloma: It is a cancer that develops in plasma cells, which are specialized white blood cells that produce ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌antibodies.  

Common Symptoms

The initial symptoms may be rather subtle and even considered as other diseases. Here are several signs that may be indicative of the disease:

• Fatigue and general weakness that lasts for a long time

• Continuous infections or fever

• Unintentional weight loss

• Night sweats

• Get bruised or bleed easily

• Rashes or lumps in the armpit, groin, or neck that are caused by swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis of Blood Cancer

It​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is the correct and timely diagnosis that, without any doubt, constitutes the main factor that ultimately decides the success of the treatment. Diagnostic procedures in India that are highly advanced and up to the minute are employed in Indian hospitals for the detection and classification of hematologic ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌cancers.

Common Diagnostic Tests

• Complete​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Blood Count (CBC): It counts various blood cells and the levels of these cells.

• Bone Marrow Biopsy: The biopsy allows seeing the cancerous cells in the marrow.

• Imaging Tests: In addition to that, the mentioned imaging methods are used for locating the areas where cancer has spread.

• Molecular and Genetic Tests: They identify gene mutations and help in giving personalized ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌treatments.

Treatment Options for Blood Cancer in India

India is a one-stop solution to a complete bunch of treatment methods available for any type or stage of blood cancer, with therapies being combined for optimal results.

Chemotherapy

With the use of strong drugs, chemotherapy is intended to eradicate cancer cells or inhibit their growth. The drugs may be taken by mouth or injectively. Most frequently, a combination of chemotherapeutic agents is proposed for leukemia and lymphoma cases.

Radiation Therapy

With the aid of this method, cancer cells are destroyed by energy rays. The usage of this method is limited to addressing local lymphomas or as a help in alleviating the pains caused by the disease.

Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy

Under​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the pressure of targeted therapy, cancer cells become deprived of their certain molecules that were supporting their growth, while immunotherapy can be compared to a power-up of the patient's immune system that makes it able to fight ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌cancer. These two methods are the furthest and most triumphant modes of therapy today.

Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant

It is a revolutionary method for treating blood cancer. The method includes the substitution of the cancerous bone marrow with the stem cells that are healthy, thus the body becoming again the one to produce new, healthy blood cells. India can boast of having the best medical centers and highly qualified surgeons who carry out these operations for significantly lower costs than Western ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌countries. 

Surgery

While it is hardly ever the case of blood cancer, a surgical procedure may be suggested for the purpose of removing lymph nodes that have been infected or dealing with complications.

Top Hospitals for Blood Cancer Treatment in India

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ country of India hosts several worldwide recognized hospitals that are leaders in treatment of cancer and blood diseases. Some of the best are Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), New Delhi, and Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Hyderabad. These medical facilities have fully equipped advanced diagnostic laboratories, units for bone marrow transplants, and teams of specialists from various branches of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌oncology.

Cost of Blood Cancer Treatment in India

One of the major advantages of seeking treatment in India is affordability without compromising quality.

​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​Leading Oncologists and Hematologists

Inde​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is full of highly qualified oncologists, who were trained abroad and have more than a few decades of experience in the treatment of blood cancers. They​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ are the top cancer specialists who, consequently, are doctors of the caliber of Dr. Suresh Advani (Mumbai), Dr. Rahul Bhargava (Gurgaon), and Dr. Vikas Dua​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌(Gurgaon). These physicians, in fact, are the ones who have brought about the radical change in cancer care through bone marrow transplant and other new-age treatment ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌methods.

Recovery and Aftercare

The Recovery from blood cancer is entirely dependent on the kind of cancer, its stage, and the patient’s response to the treatment administered. Care after the cancer treatment is essential to avoid the return of cancer and also to deal with the side effects.

Aftercare Includes:

• Regular follow-up visits and blood tests

• A healthy diet full of proteins and vitamins

• Moderate exercise to regain energy

• Psychotherapy and psychological support

• Not catching infections and practicing good personal hygiene

Being equipped with the full range of rehabilitation and counseling programs, hospitals in India aim to provide the needed care to patients and their families.

Medical Tourism for Blood Cancer Treatment

The combination of affordability, expertise, and modern technology has made India a sought-after destination for international patients.

• Medical tourism agencies help in:

• Treatment planning and scheduling doctor appointments

• Visa facilitation and travel coordination

• Airport transfers and accommodation

• Translation and patient support services

Moreover, several hospitals have set up international patient departments which help and facilitate patients in every step, from diagnosis to getting back to normal life.

Success Rates in India

India's blood cancer treatment success rate levels up to the best standards worldwide. For instance:

The remission rates of leukemia may go up to 70–90% in the early stages.

The success rates of bone marrow transplants vary between 60–80% depending on compatibility and condition.

Conclusion

If​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ not treated, blood cancer is a condition that can lead to death. However, it is no longer a situation that cannot be overcome. India has become the hub of the world for the cutting-edge, cheap, and excellent blood cancer treatment. This is made possible by doctors with the highest credentials, hospitals of international standards, and the kind-hearted support. Thus, a huge number of patients (locals and foreigners) are winning over blood cancer every ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌year.