One of the rarest and most dreadful diseases, Multiple Myeloma, affects millions of lives. It is a rarest type of blood cancer that affects about 7 people out of 100,000 people each year.
As the treatment and diagnosis involved advanced surgical and non-surgical treatment, that led to the financial catastrophic condition of the patients and their family members.
Therefore, finances involved in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma is one of the main concerns for the patients and their family members.
In this blog, we will delve into the understanding of multiple myeloma treatment costs in India, factors influencing the price, and why many individuals from around the world consider India as a cost-effective option for their medical needs.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple Myeloma, also called Kahler’s disease. It is a rare blood cancer disease that affects the plasma cells. In this disease, plasma cells grow abnormally and increase in number than normal cells that help to fight infection.
After this, malignant plasma cells produce an abnormal antibody known as M protein at high level.
Although researcher is searching exact cause of multiple myeloma, but the potential causes of the numerous myeloma stated are:
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Genetic Mutation
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Environmental factors
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Having Inflammatory disease and conditions, Ex.- Heart Disease and type 2 diabetes.
Some of the symptoms of Multiple Myeloma are:
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Weakness in arms and legs
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Pain in legs and spinal cord
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Anemia
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Nausea and vomiting
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Fatigue
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Unexplained weight loss
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Unexplained fever, may be bacterial infection
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Kidney problems/failure
What are the Treatments for Multiple Myeloma?
The advancement in the development of diagnosis and treatment worldwide is progressively emerging. Although multiple myeloma complete treatment is still in research, some of the conventional treatment is given to patients to ensure an increase in quality of life.
Some of the treatments are:
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Chemotherapy: It is the standard treatment of multiple myeloma, used in combination with other therapies. Some of the chemotherapy drugs used are bortezomib, lenalidomide, etc, which slow down or kill the cancer cells.
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Targeted Therapies: The therapies like proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs are increasingly used for the treatment of multiple myeloma in India. These drugs specifically target cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells.
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Radiation Therapy: This therapy is specially used in a case where multiple myeloma conditions cause bone damage. It is used to relieve bone pain.
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Supportive Care: Managing and monitoring the other complications due to multiple Myeloma, like anemia, bone fractures, and kidney issues, is also necessary. Hospitals provide palliative care and pain management services to improve patient’s quality of life.
What is the Average Cost of Multiple Myeloma in India?
The cost varies according to the extent of disease and type of treatment a person is getting.
The average multiple myeloma treatment cost in India ranges from Rs. 7,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 in India.
Here are some of the factors on which the multiple myeloma treatment cost depends:
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Hospital and Facility Fees: Choice of the healthcare facility plays a crucial role in the treatment cost. Private hospitals may have higher charges for all the combined treatment than the government hospital.
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Type of Treatment: The extent of diseases decides the kind of treatment required, which determines the overall costs.
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Medications: The cost of medications, including chemotherapy drugs and supportive therapies, can significantly impact the treatment expenses.
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Diagnostic Tests: The cost is also on the diagnosis tests including blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, imaging studies, and genetic testing.
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Doctor’s Fees: Fees of medical professionals, including hematologists, oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons, also contribute to the cost of the treatment.
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Length of Treatment: The duration of multiple myeloma treatment can vary. Some patients may require shorter, less intensive treatments, while others may need more extended and complex care.
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Supportive Care: Patients also require pain management, palliative care, physical and psychological therapy, and can significantly impact the overall cost of the treatment.
What are the Advantages of Multiple Myeloma Treatment in India?
India’s commitment to providing high-quality healthcare, skilled medical professionals, and cost-effective solutions has made it an attractive destination for individuals seeking multiple myeloma treatment. Some of the advantage India is considered the best place for the multiple myeloma treatment are:
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Cost-Effective Care: The cost of the treatment is comparatively lower than in other countries like the US, UK, etc. Patients receive world-class care at a fractional cost.
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High-Quality Healthcare Facilities: India is a place of world-class healthcare facilities that are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and have highly trained and experienced medical professionals.
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Skilled Medical Professionals: India has internationally trained oncologists and support staff who specialize in multiple myeloma care.
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Accessibility to Medications: The emerging industry of pharmaceuticals results in the accessibility to a wide range of medications, including generic versions of expensive cancer drugs.
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Multilingual Support: Many healthcare providers in India offer multilingual support to accommodate international patients. This helps them to communicate their needs and concerns to medical professionals easily.
What are the Best Hospitals Available for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in India ?
Choosing the best hospital among many choices is also a difficult task. Here are some of the best hospitals that provide the best possible treatment for Multiple Myeloma:
Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
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Fortis Memorial Research Institute is one of the renowned and well-structured hospitals in India.
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It is accredited by NABH and came in second in a global survey of the top 30 technologically sophisticated hospitals worldwide.
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The hospital is equipped with advanced technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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It has skilled medical professionals who are well-trained in performing stem cell transplantation, surgeries, etc., to treat multiple myeloma.
Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai
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Apollo Hospitals is a well-structured tertiary care hospital in India.
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It is the first oncology hospital that is accredited by NABH and also awarded as the best oncology hospital in India.
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It is the first hospital to have a proton cancer center in East Asia.
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The hospital has internationally recognized oncologists who can treat complex cases of various types of cancer.
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
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Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is well-known for the best Oncology treatment in India.
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The hospital is equipped with advanced technology equipment and highly professional medical experts.
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The hospital was approved as a designated center for integrated cancer and palliative care by the European Society of Medical Cancer.
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The hospital provides minimal access surgery, robotic surgeries, Trilogy for radiotherapy, and Edge ™ and Novalis ™ for radiosurgery.
Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
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Artemis Hospital is one of the best multi-specialty hospitals in India.
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The hospital has cutting-edge technologies such as fluoroscopy, multi-slice cardiac CT-64 slice, MRI-3T, BMD-Dexa scan, etc.
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The nuclear medicine department of the hospital has Gamma camera imaging, including stress thallium.
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It has experienced and skilled oncology professional experts who performed minimal access surgery, stem cell transplantations, etc.
Manipal Hospital (Old Airport Road) Bangalore
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Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, has one the best Oncology Specialities in India.
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It has a complete spectrum of clinical specialties in oncology, including Surgical, Medical (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Hormone Therapy), and Radiation Therapy.
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The medical professionals of the hospital successfully performed robot-assisted cancer surgeries and minimally invasive surgeries for the treatment of complex cases of cancer.
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The hospital offers treatment facilities such as Intracavitary chemotherapy, Biological therapy, HIPEC, PIPEC, Nuclear medicine, Radiation therapy, and Palliative care facilities.
Multiple myeloma treatment costs in India can vary widely based on numerous factors, including the type of treatment, the choice of healthcare facility, and the specific needs of the patient. While the expenses are considerably lower than in many Western countries, patients should still carefully plan and budget for their treatment.
Patients considering India for their medical care should consult with healthcare providers to understand the specific costs and make informed decisions to address their healthcare needs.
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