What are the first signs of lymphoma cancer?

What are the first signs of lymphoma cancer?
What are the first signs of lymphoma cancer?

Do you know? “Lymphoma Cancer” is the fifth leading cause of death in the United Kingdom! Yes, it is true. This makes it all the more necessary to know about it. We at BloodCancerCure aim to answer all your questions.

What is Lymphoma Cancer?

Cancer that starts from the lymphatic system is called “lymphoma Cancer”. The lymphatic system consists of lymph nodes and organs such as thymus, spleen etc. The lymphatic system plays a role in maintaining the immunity of an individual.
The lymphoma cancer is the tumor of the white blood cells in the bone marrow, lymph nodes and other components of the lymphatic system. There is no benign form of lymphoma cancer as it tends to spread to all parts of the body.
The difference between a lymphoma cancer and leukemia lies in its origins. A lymphoma cancer characteristically develops in lymphatic tissue mainly the lymph nodes of the thymus gland. On the other hand, leukemia is a type of blood cancer which first starts in bone marrow.

There are many subtypes of the Lymphoma Cancer but the two most common of them are Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

What are the signs and symptoms of Lymphoma Cancer?

Depending upon the subtypes of cancer, the spread and the stage of the disease, it could have a variety of symptoms such as:

•    Fever and Chills
•    Unintended weight loss
•    Loss of appetite
•    Body pains
•   Anaemia
•    Fatigue and weakness
•    Swelling of lymph nodes
•    Enlargement of the spleen or liver in some cases.

The studies have shown the close association of the disease with certain risk factors. There is an increased incidence among people who have a known history of exposure to certain chemicals and ionizing radiation. Another major known cause of the lymphoma cancer is the “Epstein Barr Virus”. This virus is known to affect mainly the immunocompromised individuals such as those suffering from HIV-AIDS, or human T-lymphocytic virus etc. Smoking, excessive consumption of red meat and tobacco may increase the risk of cancer.


How is Lymphoma Cancer diagnosed?

In order to diagnose any type of cancer or for that matter any kind of disease, the doctor first needs to carefully examine the patient’s symptoms and the complaints with which he/she approaches the doctor. The doctor does this by doing a complete physical examination of the patient.
The doctor or the physician then prescribes a number of diagnostic tests to confirm the disease.

In order to obtain the final diagnosis, the following tests can be done:
•    Complete blood counts
•    Bone marrow biopsy
•    Lymph node biopsy
•    Special imaging tests such as MRI, Ct scan, and PET scan


How is Lymphoma Cancer treated?

Cancer causes a number of complications for patients. These could be an increased incidence of infections (immunocompromised state), a decrease in the number of other blood cells etc. 
In mild cases, sometimes doctors prefer regular monitoring of the disease without any treatment or just giving symptomatic treatment

The major treatment modalities include:
•    Chemotherapy
•    Radiation therapy
•    Targeted therapy
•    Surgical removal of the enlarged spleen

Sometimes, there is an excessive amount of some plasma proteins in the blood which may cause problems. It is removed by a process known as “Plasmapheresis”. 
This cancer was once a critical and fatal condition. But, nowadays, with extensive research, this disease is almost curable. India is becoming a leading hub in all the new treatments at low costs with excellent results. Visit our website www.bloodcancercure.com for more information. 

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.
 

Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa Population

Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa Population
Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa Population

Anemia is a common disease in many parts of the world. For a common man, it is mainly characterized by a deficiency of iron in the body. But medically, it is the deficiency of iron-carrying protein – hemoglobin which is responsible for transportation of oxygen and nutrients in the body. All this takes place in the RED BLOOD CELLS or RBCs.

Sickle Cell Anaemia-A Genetic disorder:

Sickle Cell Anaemia is different. It is a genetic disorder which results in RBCs to become misshapen and break down. Because of which the transportation of oxygen and nutrients is hampered. And patient suffers from the symptoms of anemia such as weakness, pallor, pain in joints etc.

Sickle cell anemia can make life more difficult, particularly for a child, who will need to deal with delayed sexual maturity and stunted growth. The patient will need to avoid things that can cause a crisis, such as certain medication that restricts blood vessels, high altitudes, and strenuous exercise.

About 80% of sickle cell disease cases are believed to occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sickle cell is found more frequently in persons of Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean and African heritage because those geographic regions are most prone to malaria. The gene variant for sickle cell disease is related to malaria, not skin color. In the African population, the presence of sickle cell gene is an example of natural selection. Those people are specifically prone to a malarial parasite which feeds upon the normal spherical RBC. But in people with sickle cell anemia, the sickle-shaped RBC is not the best host for the parasite. The sickle cell and the parasite are filtered out by the spleen and destroyed, lessening the impact of the parasitic infection. Therefore, people with sickle cell trait never have a high infection load that results in malaria. Thus, they are comparatively immune to malaria which is one of the biggest killers in many African countries.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Stem Cell Transplant and the Cost of Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant and the Cost of Therapy
stem cell transplant for cancer

Stem cell transplant is a mode of treatment which replaces the faulty blood-cell forming marrow with healthier marrow cells. The faulty bone marrow cells may be because of any injuries, infections, diseases and disabilities and even chemotherapy. Stem cell transplant is also called a bone marrow transplant.

Where is bone marrow transplant needed?

  • Cancers of the blood cells and bone marrow.
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Hemoglobin abnormalities like thalassemia
  • Red Blood cell disorders like sickle cell anemia
  • White blood cell disorders like congenital neutropenia
  • Chemotherapy

Stem cell transplant is one of the recent modes for treatment for many marrow cell disorders. The cost of treatment in India is one of the lowest compared to most other countries. The quality of the treatment is also top-notch and is provided by professional experts.

The starting price of stem cell therapy in India is around $9,000-$10,000.

Stem cell treatments in other countries:

Stem cell therapy in Nigeria is also placing their feet into the research. Studies are being performed for stem cell therapy in these regions and patients are receiving treatment. But this is still at a smaller scale and only a few hospitals with multi-specialties are able to provide this.
Stem cell therapy in Ghana is one of its recent advancements. The first stem cell therapy procedure was performed in the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. This was done for the treatment of sickle cell anemia. The entire procedure costs about $15,000 to $20,000. The surgical team and doctors did share their problem of lack of adequate staff and facilities.

Multiple myelomas is a rare type of blood cancer which is seen more commonly in African-Americans. Despite this, there are very few resources in countries like Kenya. The facilities to quickly diagnose this condition seems to be lacking. The expertise that is needed for long-term treatments like stem cell therapy is also not easily available. Apart from that, the cost of medications, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy is also too high for a common man.

Myelodysplastic syndrome is a group of diseases which are caused due to defective bone marrow. This condition is seen more commonly in African countries like Nigeria. Despite this, the availability of treatment is very scarce. Many individuals are seen making international trips to countries like India for an affordable treatment which come with state-of-the-art technology. The cost of treatment in Nigeria is also pretty high which begins at the range of $20,000 to $50,000.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia is another type of white blood cell cancer. Leukemia is one of the leading causes of death in many countries, especially the United Arab Emirates. The treatment options are available at too high a price for the common working-class man to afford. The initial cost of treatment begins at $20,000 and sometimes goes up to $50,000 also which makes it unaffordable for many.
While looking at the price-points and the quality of treatment, one can easily deduce that the advanced treatments like stem cell therapy is not as easily available in many countries. When available, they are more expensive than what can be afforded. There is also a steady increase in the number of people visiting India for such treatments.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Related FAQs:

1) Q: What accounts for the most affordable stem cell cost?

A: Adipose-derived stem cells are the most affordable ones. Although the stem cell therapy in itself is expensive and harvesting stem cell from adipose fat is comparatively cheaper than harvesting from bone marrow or teeth. So, in terms of stem cell cost efficacy, this one is the most preferred one and is really getting common day by day because of its cost-effectiveness.

 

2) Q: Why do stem cell cost vary from case to case?

A: A patient with complex diseases bears a higher cost of stem cell therapy. Since it requires a systemic approach to deal with all the conditions which arise before during and even after the stem cell therapy.  The stem cell cost might even double because of involvement of treatment for diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis etc.

3) Q: Which complications can further increase stem cell cost?

A: Any allergic reaction, rejection of transplant, graft-versus-host disease etc can all add up to stem cell cost individually or all together. As per the case different conditions might appear as complications post procedure and its treatment will add up the cost in whole. As a precaution, you must share your complete medical history along with ongoing medications to avoid any unwanted reaction due to that.

Aplastic Anemia in Kenya

Aplastic Anemia in Kenya
Aplastic Anemia in Kenya

What is Aplastic Anemia:

Aplastic Anemia is a condition in which there is a shortage of red blood cells due to suppression of the bone marrow. This condition frequently occurs due to chemical agents, infections or even due to nutritional deficient.

The patient may complain of symptoms like increased blood clots called petechiae, hemorrhages and fatigue. They are more prone to infections and have a weaker immune response. After diagnosis, the patient is advised to take treatment for the condition.

There are many treatment options for aplastic anemia. The patient can choose to receive medical therapy which involves antifibrinolytic agents and antibiotics to regulate the symptoms or can choose Stem Cell therapy.

Aplastic Anemia is prevalent in Kenya. Despite this, there are not enough treatment centers which are capable of providing the most advanced treatment procedures. Stem cell therapy is not available as easily. Even if it is present, it is an expensive procedure which is not affordable by the general populace.

The cost of stem cell treatment is approximately $20,000 to $50,000. This is exclusive of the post-treatment medications. Stem cell therapy requires constant usage of immunosuppressive therapy. Due to these complications, effective treatments like stem cell therapy fail to be a viable option for the people.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia(CML) in Pakistan

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia(CML) in Pakistan
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia(CML) in Pakistan

What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia:

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is a type of cancer of the white blood cells which leads to rapid multiplication and formation of abnormal dysfunctional units. The condition causes various symptoms like sudden weight loss, night sweats, and fever. Chronic myeloid leukemia occurs due to a genetic mix-up of a chromosome called the “Philadelphia chromosome

The occurrence of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is comparatively less and the manifestation of the disease takes time. The condition is more common in adults than in children. The treatment for CML in Pakistan is not as progressive as the other states. While most of the hospitals offer Chemotherapy for CML, there are hospitals that perform stem cell transplantation.

Stem cell transplantation is one of the advanced treatment techniques which have the potential to heal the patient more thoroughly than chemotherapy. This treatment is quite expensive in Pakistan. Moreover, there are not enough specialists in Pakistan to provide this option for patients.

Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation requires a donor match. Only if the bone marrow of the donor matches with the patient can the transplant be made?

The cost of stem cell therapy in Pakistan is close to the range of $20,000 to $35,000. Most of the patients find it difficult to afford these procedures, especially when there are chances of re-occurrence.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Is Beta Thalassemia Treatable?

Is Beta Thalassemia Treatable?
Is Beta Thalassemia Treatable?

Let us first try to understand, what is Beta Thalassemia?

Beta Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. It is characterized by reduced or defective production of beta-chains in hemoglobin (a component of blood). As a result of which, the patient may experience severe anemia or can remain clinically asymptomatic. Globally, an incidence of beta thalassemia is estimated to be around 100,000.  Since it is a genetic disorder, the severity of the disease depends upon the extent of gene mutation.

Now the next thing we should know is what are the symptoms. These range from mild to moderate anemia to severe organ related complication. A beta thalassaemic patient chronically suffers from symptoms such as low hemoglobin levels, jaundice (pale appearance or yellow color of the skin), irritability, slow growth, dark urine, deformities of the facial bones and a swollen abdomen. The appearance of these symptoms in a child often alarms the physician about the condition who then orders further tests.

One should know that there is the difference between a disease being curable and a disease being treatable. For example, a throat infection, take some antibiotics and you are good to go. But some diseases like Hepatitis B are incurable.

Same is the case for beta thalassemia. As far as the cure is concerned, bone marrow transplant has been tried but hasn’t shown promising results due to a number of side effects. But yes, “Treatment of Beta Thalassemia” is there. This has helped to increase the lifespan of thalassaemic patients without any complications. Nowadays, many major beta-thalassemia patients are leading a normal healthy life thanks to the development of new therapeutic measures.

Treatment of Beta Thalassemia:

Treatment major involves regular blood transfusions to keep the symptoms of anemia at bay. Jaundice and paleness still persist but the body now has blood to perform regular functions. In order to reduce the accumulation of iron in the body (due to the breakdown of RBCs and Haemoglobin molecules), the patient is given Iron Chelators. The iron chelation therapy basically consists of certain molecules which bind with the free iron getting accumulated in the liver and other important organs and facilitates its removal via the urine. Thus, like earlier times patients suffering from beta-thalassemia do not undergo organ failure from an accumulation of excessive iron in the body. Beta thalassaemic treatment also involves the daily folic acid supplements, regular check-ups for heart and liver (Cardiac function tests and Liver Function tests). Some patients may require certain surgical procedures such as removal of the spleen (splenectomy) because it gets enlarged to hoarding of dead RBCs. Also, in some cases, gallbladder removal may also need to be done.

Beta thalassemia, nowadays, is considered very much like other chronic disorders such as Diabetes or Hypertension which can be managed by life-long therapy. They lead normal lives, study, get jobs and get married. But as it is applicable to all of us, genetic counseling is a must before marrying and having kids. A person suffering from beta-thalassemia marrying a person with the gene have a 100% chance of passing on the gene to their child. While a person being treated for beta thalassemia major can also transfer the condition to his/her offspring even if the partner doesn’t have the gene.

Treatment of Beta Thalassemia is extensively available in India:

All these treatment options are available with us. We have a dedicated Transfusion Medicine department with excellent doctors that provide round the clock care and treatment to the patients. With the advent of high-technology blood banks and storage facilities risks related to blood have reduced as compared to earlier times. Proper matching of the antibodies is done before starting the treatment for beta thalassemia.

Some other risks associated with the blood transfusion are fever, chills, iron overload, allergic reactions, dizziness, and shortness of breath. But with us, you have got all of this sorted. We keep all of this in mind and our staff is well-trained to handle such complications. We prefer to inform the patient about all the pros and cons of the therapy before starting the treatment of beta thalassemia. Patients and their attendants know what to expect and what is being done.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Is there a cure for Sickle Cell Disease?

Is there a cure for Sickle Cell Disease?
Is there a cure for Sickle Cell Disease?

What do we actually mean by the Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease! Sounds familiar? Yes, it is a common chronic blood disorder which generally shows anemia-like symptoms in the affected population. Sickle-cell disease is a rare disorder in India with less than 1 million cases per year. But it is a fairly common condition in African and Mediterranean population.

Basically, it is an inherited blood disorder in which the shape of RBCs is characteristically “sickle-shaped” or “crescent-shaped” instead of its normal biconcave shape. Now, let us understand how is this change in shape affects the patient suffering from it. Since the main function of an RBC is to carry oxygen to all organs of the body, a change in the shape of a red blood cell drastically affects its oxygen-carrying capacity.

The life expectancy of a person suffering from the sickle cell disease is nearly 40-47 years as per certain studies. This is not a definite number as it can increase or decrease depending upon the quality of care a patient receives.

Why is the Sickle cell Disease Problematic?

The sickle-shaped cells cause many problems for the individual. Firstly, the cells are not flexible as a result of which they burst apart more often than usual. This reduces the lifespan of the RBCs to 10-12 days from 90-120 days. Thus, there is a discontinuity in the rate of production of new cells and destruction of the old ones. Also, the sickle-shaped cells can stick to the blood vessels causing an obstruction to the blood flow. The lack of oxygen to certain vital organs can cause sudden severe pain and ischaemic crisis.

What are its Symptoms?

Which leads us to the symptoms of the Sickle Cell disease. The symptoms of the sickle cell disease vary from mild to severe anemia in the patients carrying the sickle cell gene. The patient can just be a carrier of the trait with no apparent clinical symptoms or can be suffering from the severe form where the patient receives the sickle cell trait from both the parents. Some of the common symptoms of sickle cell disease are fatigue and tiredness, pain, or infections. Painful swelling can usually be seen in the hands and limbs of the affected patients. Presence of jaundice or “yellowish-discoloration” of the skin and in eyes (“Icterus”) is also observed.

Are there any complications associated with the Sickle Cell disease?
There might also occur a number of complications in sickle cell disease patients. The children suffering from sickle cell disease may have delayed growth and are generally shorter but usually, regain their height by adulthood. Seizures, strokes, or even coma can result from sickle cell disease. Blindness and skin problems may occur if the vessels of these respective organs are blocked. Gallstones are other sets of problems which are not related to the blockage of arteries but due to the accumulation of pigment- bilirubin which is the result of the constant breakdown of red blood cells.

The diagnosis of the sickle cell disease is mostly done as per the presented symptoms by the patients. Also, the doctor may prescribe certain diagnostic tests just to be sure. These could be blood tests (blood counts can reveal abnormal Hb levels) and “Hb electrophoresis” which determines the type of hemoglobin in the blood.

Is it preventable?

The Sickle Cell disease can be prevented with early diagnosis. Genetic counseling of the parents is a necessary step. It informs the parents about their genetic make-up and the possibility of transmission of the disease to their offspring. The new intra-natal diagnostic techniques even allow detection of the occurrence of sickle cell disease in the child before it is born. This is important as it becomes easier for the doctor to manage the sickle cell disease from early on.  

How can it be treated? Is it curable?

As far as the cure for sickle cell disease is concerned, a bone marrow transplant is the only possibility. But it poses severe risks and is very vulnerable to failure and rejection. This treatment option is not indicated for severe cases of the sickle cell disease. For patients with a mild form of the disease, the bone marrow transplant can still be considered because it’s less risky and complicated for them.

Otherwise, the physician generally manages the disease symptomatically. They generally prefer treating the complications occurring in the individual such as the artery disease or the pain crisis or jaundice and anemia.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

What diseases can be cured with Stem Cell Transplant?

What diseases can be cured with Stem Cell Transplant?
What diseases can be cured with Stem Cell Transplant?

What is a Stem Cell Transplant?

There are many diseases which are nowadays being cured by stem cells. But what actually are “stem cells”? These are basically the precursor cells which mature into different types of blood cells, namely, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

There is also another term – “bone marrow transplant”. there are two main sources of obtaining stem cells in adults. These are bone marrow and peripheral blood. When these cells are obtained from the bone marrow, we call it a bone marrow transplant. When the cells are taken from the circulating blood, the procedure is known as the “hematopoietic stem cell transplant”.

How does a Stem Cell Transplant cure a disease?

In this procedure, the patient receives healthy blood-forming cells to replace the defective ones. The patient’s stem cells can become defective or non-functional either due to a disease or radiation.

The newly inserted cells perform the function of duplication as well as growth and development of the blood cells. This helps in compensating for any decrease and loss of these cells due to any reason. As a result, the body can return back to its normal state.

How are the Cells obtained?

As we have seen, when we say Haematopoietic Stem cell Transplant, we mean the stem cells which are obtained from the peripheral blood. Weeks before the procedure, the patient is given various “growth factors” to stimulate the production of these blood-forming cells in bone marrow and move into circulation faster.

To extract the cells, an intravenous or IV tube is inserted in the donor’s arm. It is attached to a machine which performs the function of separating the stem cells from the blood and then collecting it. The rest of the blood is then sent back into the body via the same IV. The process may take a few hours and sometimes more than one sitting.

What are different types of Stem Cell Transplants?

Depending upon the source of stem cells, we can obtain the cells based upon who gives them. Mainly, it of three types i.e. allogenic stem cell transplant, autologous stem cell transplant, and syngeneic transplants.

An “Autologous transplant” means that the cells are used from the patient’s own blood. In some cases, the stem cells are collected for two transplants. When a patient has to be given high dose Chemotherapy, the second dose of the cells is transplanted usually 6 weeks after the first.

In an “Allogenic Transplant”, the cells are obtained from a donor after proper matching. The donor may or may not be related to the patient.

Then comes the “Syngeneic transplant”. The procedure obtains the cells from an identical twin. An identical twin has the same set of antigens and there are minimal chances of rejection.

What needs to be kept in mind for a Stem Cell Transplant?

Stem cell transplant is not a regular day-to-day procedure. It needs to be meticulously planned by a specialized team consisting of hematologists, general physicians, oncologists, immunologists etc. Along with all this, a careful patient examination is necessary. The patient should be able to handle the treatment. Some of the commonly considered patient factors are age (the younger the better because of better recovery); patient’s overall health and allied medical conditions; the, of course, the type, severity, prognosis, and spread of cancer. Also, the type of chemotherapy and the chances of cancer for remission or relapse also affect the treatment plan.

What are the possible Risks of Stem Cell Transplant?

The problems range from common nausea and vomiting to the more severe “Graft vs Host Disease (GVD)”. Some of the usual side effects include nausea/vomiting; infections; mucositis and pneumonitis. Patients may also need transfusions due to continuous bleeding before the effects of transplanted cells kick in.

Meticulous precautions should be taken post-operatively to prevent infections. We cannot predict how drained out the patient is after the chemotherapies after which he/she receives the transplant. Proper diet and necessary infection control measures need to be taken. The patients are also given precautionary antibiotics to prevent the development of infections.

Now we can address the major problem:

Graft vs Host Disease. It happens in allogenic transplant cases where the patient rejects the donor cells after the transplant. It is an emergent and critical complication which needs to addressed immediately. It can either be acute or chronic. Acute GVD shows its signs within 10-90 days of the stem cell transplant. While a chronic GVD later and lasts for a long time. In order to prevent such conditions, doctors prescribe immunosuppressants to lower down the chances of rejections.  

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Bone Marrow test cost in India

Bone Marrow test cost in India
Bone Marrow test cost in India

Bone Marrow is the soft gelatinous tissue found inside the bones of the human body. It is mainly responsible for the production and maturation of blood-forming stem cells in the body. These mature stem cells are then released into the peripheral bloodstream where they differentiate into the three types of blood cells, namely, the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and the platelets.

What is a Bone Marrow Test?

The bone marrow test or biopsy is a specialized diagnostic procedure in which a certain portion of the marrow tissue is obtained and is then tested under the microscope. It is a fairly regular procedure which is done to detect various blood-related disorders. These could be blood cancers (leukemia and lymphoma), anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia, Neutropenia etc.

It basically gives a better idea of what is going on inside the body when the doctors are unable to find the answers with other specialized tests.

How often is this procedure done?

Due to its positive results, the test is done to know the exact cause of certain blood disorders. Also, it harbors Stem Cells. Stem cells are pluripotent cells which means that they can basically turn into any type of cells under the influence of certain growth factors.

The procedure is done by all the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in the laboratories. The test consists of two procedures i.e. the bone marrow aspiration and the bone marrow biopsy.

In India, all the leading private hospitals, government hospitals and most of the well-equipped laboratories offer this test. It is a fairly safe and regular procedure. Doctors do it all the time.

How much does the test cost?

India is becoming one of the leading medical hubs in the world. Globally, it is earning respect in terms of medical services and the qualified medical staff. The doctors here are hardworking and well trained to perform all kinds of procedures.

In India, the cost of the bone marrow test depends upon various factors. The bone marrow test cost in India varies directly upon the type of facility (public or private), the city or patient’s location, and also the availability of the test.

The bone marrow test cost ranges from Rs. 500-5000 in India. This is obviously the average cost of the test.  The bone marrow test cost can increase in case of any unforeseen complication that might occur.

As per the regular privately purchased health insurance, usually, the bone marrow test cost is included in the coverage. The cost of the test is usually reimbursed to the patient. In India, the bone marrow test cost is sometimes subsidized by the government for those patients who cannot pay the amount. There are many hospitals which come under this subsidized low-cost bone marrow test in the country.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

Is Bone Marrow Cancer curable? What are the treatments?

Is bone marrow cancer curable? What are the treatments?
Is bone marrow cancer curable? What are the treatments?

What is a Cancer?

Cancer, as we know, is the abnormal proliferation of certain cells of the body which goes out of control. Cancer can develop practically in all parts of the body.

There are two types of cancerous lesions that are found in the human body.

These are:

Benign Cancer: It is the less dangerous one (unless it is impinging on surrounding tissues) as it doesn’t spread to other organs.

Malignant Cancer: It is the problematic one as it can rapidly spread to other tissues and can even cause a variety of other problems.

What is Bone Marrow Cancer?

Bone Marrow is the soft gelatinous substance present inside the bones. It is kind of like the manufacturing unit for production of blood cells in the body. It consists of many types of precursor blood cells, stem cells, mature cells etc.

It is actually the abnormal multiplication of any of these cells inside the bone marrow. Since the bone marrow has a direct connection with the blood supply, it can easily spread to other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of Bone Marrow Cancer?

Any cancer for that matter does not have serious direct consequences. They usually create a problem with normal functioning of the body. in bone marrow cancer, the production of normal blood cells is hampered, or there is drastic increase in one type of the cell. As a result, the number and functioning of other cells are affected.

The following are the symptoms associated with it:

  • Anemia
  • Weight loss
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Fatigue and tiredness
  • Increase the frequency of infections
  • Immune-compromised state
  • Body pain
  • Bone weakness and frequent fractures
  • Kidney damage

What are the types of Bone Marrow Cancer?

The type of bone marrow cancer depends upon the type of the cell involved.

The types of cells are:

  • The red blood cells
  • The Platelets
  • The White blood cells which include lymphocytes, plasma cells, leukocytes etc.

Let us find out about some of the common types of bone marrow cancer.

Multiple Myeloma:
It is characterized by the excessive proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells play a key role in forming antibodies against the various types of infections.

Leukemia:
This is characterized by a rapid increase in the number of white blood cells. This increase in the number of cells can be rapid (acute- ALL, AML) or slow-growing (chronic- CML, CLL).

Lymphoma:
This is the cancer of the lymphatic system. These can occur in many parts of the body.

This is of further two types: Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

How is Bone Marrow Cancer diagnosed?

A doctor can make a number of diagnoses based on the symptoms that patients present with. The doctor can order various tests such as complete blood counts (CBCs), and certain imaging tests. Blood tests help to evaluate the blood counts, kidney function, and electrolyte levels. The imaging tests such as the MRI scan, CT scan or PET scan helps the doctor to evaluate the spread of the bone marrow cancer.

Another important technique to determine the type, severity and the spread of bone marrow cancer is the bone marrow biopsy. It is a confirmatory test for all the types of bone marrow cancers and blood disorders. The aspirated bone marrow is looked by a specialist under a microscope to get a clear picture of what is going on and plan treatment accordingly.

How is Bone Marrow Cancer treated?

The treatment of this cancer is very customizable according to each specific cancer. After the doctor determines the type, spread and the grade of cancer, an oncologist can design a specific course of treatment for a patient.

The two most common mode of treatment is Radiation therapy and Chemotherapy.

These can be used alone or along with each other as a part of adjuvant therapy. Both of these treatments are aimed at killing the cancer cells or stopping them from multiplying. The drugs may have targeted action on some kind of cancer cells.

For example, Imatinib (Gleevec) is a drug which is effective mainly for CML (a type of bone marrow cancer)

Patients generally start to lack the number of healthy blood cells required to perform normal day to body functions either due to bone marrow cancer treatment or due to the disease itself.

In such patients, physicians recommend a bone marrow transplant. it is a highly specialized procedure in which the healthy bone marrow is transferred into the deceased individual to take over the normal functions.

It is of three types: Allogenic, Autologous, and Syngeneic. 

 

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

What is the Success rate of Bone Marrow Transplantation?

What is the success rate of bone marrow transplantation?
What is the success rate of bone marrow transplantation?

What do you mean by Bone Marrow Transplantation?

Let’s get back to basics, shall we? As we know that bone marrow is a highly specialized tissue which performs the important function of growth and differentiation of blood cells.

Bone marrow transplantation is a process in which a patient with diseased bone marrow receives a healthy marrow tissue from a donor. It is a very common procedure which is being performed by all leading private and public hospitals in India. Our doctors are very skilled and competent in bone marrow transplantation.

Why is the Bone Marrow Transplantation done?

Bone marrow tissue consists of blood cells and stem cells in their various stages of development. Stem cells have the capability of turning into any types of cells and tissue when stimulated with certain growth factors. After the growth and differentiation of these stem cells, the matured blood cells are released into the bloodstream.

In certain individuals, the BM is defective either due to certain genetic or congenital diseases such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hurler’s syndrome etc. Also, it does not function properly in certain blood cancers such as aplastic anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma etc.

Bone marrow transplantation provided done correctly, is considered to be a cure for many of these disorders.

How does Bone Marrow Transplantation work?

Due to certain types of cancer, there is excessive proliferation of certain lineages of the myeloid and lymphoid cells. This abnormal proliferation of immature blood cells hampers the normal functioning of the other cells. This results in the deficiency of other types of blood cells and as a result, these cause the symptoms.

Also, chemotherapy is highly toxic to the bone marrow. So, many cancer patients have prescribed the transplantation procedure usually before and after the cancer treatment.

When the patient’s bone marrow is replaced by a healthier one (after doing appropriate pre-operative matching), it starts performing the regular routine functions. This transplantation procedure is being done for many years and has shown excellent results in patients.

The donor can either be the patient himself (autologous), or some relative or an unknown donor (allogeneic), or patient’s identical twin (syngeneic). 

What is the success rate for Bone Marrow Transplantation?

Transplantation is a common procedure with high chances of survival. A patient who has undergone the procedure and is doing fine after 5 years without any complications is expected to live an additional 15 years as compared to the survival rate of the disease condition.

In recent studies, it has been observed that the success rate for an allogeneic bone marrow transplant is around 60-62%, which in medical world is pretty good. It is also found that around three out of every four patients survive the bone marrow transplantation.

Nowadays, there is a specific protocol for every procedure which is being followed by a hospital. Thus, the patient receives same quality of care from all the healthcare professionals.

What are the complications associated with the Bone Marrow Transplantation?

The first year is very important for BMT patients as this is the time most complications occur.

One of the most severe and important complications associated with the transplant is its tendency for rejection. This results in a cascade of complications known as the “Graft vs Host Disease”. This occurs due to the improper matching of the Human Leukocyte Antigen of the donor and the recipient tissue.

The patient is also severely immunocompromised due to the ongoing chemo and the radiotherapies so as a result, transplanting a new tissue into the human body makes it prone to infections.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.

What is the best treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

What is treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
What is treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

What is a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)?

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is the cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes and certain organs such as the spleen, thymus, bone marrow, etc. The lymph nodes consist of lymphocytes which are responsible for fighting against infections.

It includes all types of lymphomas except the Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is different in many aspects as compared to the Hodgkin’s lymphoma. NHL is most commonly found in the adults and it starts in the lymph and lymph nodes.

The symptoms of NHL mostly correspond with other types of blood cancers. These include fever, fatigue, night sweats, loss of appetite, weakness, chest pain etc. One of the important sign that rings a bell for the physician that something is wrong is “swollen Lymph Nodes”.  

Types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma:

There are several different ways NHL can be classified. World Health Organisation (WHO) has laid down the guidelines to classify the NHL, which is as follows:

Type of lymphocyte involved:

  • How the Lymphoma appears under a Microscope

  • The Chromosomal features of the Lymphoma

  • The presence of proteins on the surface of cells.

How is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosed?

The diagnosis for any disease is always started with a complete and thorough family and medical history. Confirmatory diagnosis of NHL is important as it determines the type of treatment the patient requires.

The following are some of the common diagnostic tests that are done to detect NHL:

  • Physical examination to check for swollen lymph nodes in neck, underarms, and groin; also to check swollen liver/spleen.
  • Complete blood counts.
  • Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration.
  • Imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI, and PET scan.
  • Lymph node biopsy.

What is the treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

As we already know the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma depends upon the diagnosis of the disease. The treatment regime is different for B-cell and T-cell lymphoma, or an intensive or slow growing (indolent) lymphoma etc.

In some cases, the treatment isn’t even necessary. The slow-growing lymphomas are usually managed using a “wait-and-see approach”. The patient is monitored regularly by the doctor.

If the lymphoma is aggressive, the following treatment approaches can be used:

Chemotherapy:
It involves using certain chemicals and drugs which tend to kill the excessive lymphocytes to bring their level down to normal. Chemotherapy for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is either given orally or intravenously.

Mostly the chemotherapeutic agents cannot differentiate between the healthy cells and the cancer cells. The most common side effects include nausea/vomiting, heart & lung damage, hair loss etc.

Radiotherapy:
High-frequency radiation is used to kill the cancer cells. The beams are directed towards specific regions of the body. The radiation targets the specific lymph nodes for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Certain side-effects include rashes and redness of the skin, hair loss, lung damage, heart disease, thyroid damage or stroke. Sometimes, this causes the development of other types of cancers such as breast or lung cancer.

Bone Marrow Therapy:
In this type of treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow. The new bone marrow resumes the function of producing new, mature cells. But it involves high risk of infection in the recipient.

The doctor is the best source of information for all kinds of patient queries and anxieties during the treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

About BloodCancerCure:

BloodCancerCure is the world’s first such organization working 24*7 on helping blood cancer patients. BloodCancerCure works for patients across the world by providing the lowest cost for bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and Bone marrow test. You can contact at +91-8448533753 to talk to our experts at BloodCancerCure for BMT treatment in India.