Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cancer –  Sample Opinion

 Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment in India – Sample Opinion for Medical Case Received // Case Number – OP/2025/2906 // 45 years old // Kenya

Case Summary : According to the medical reports, including a Hematology doctor’s note and biopsy reports, shared with us, Mr. DB, a 45 years old Gentleman from Kenya, is a case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Cancer. We have discussed the case with eminent Bone Marrow Transplant Experts from the leading hospitals on a panel with us in India. 

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)- is a fast-growing blood cancer where too many abnormal white blood cells (myeloblasts) crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow. This leads to infections, anemia and bleeding. It starts suddenly and mainly affects adults. Early diagnosis will improve the survival chances of the person.

Investigations needed to confirm the diagnosis and plan the treatment – Patient will need to go through detailed physical and clinical investigations, which will include –NGS-based karyotyping, cytogenetics, molecular study, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy,etc, along with other routine tests.

If the biopsy has been done back in the country and if the biopsy slides are available, he may kindly bring the slides to us. In such a case, we will need to do only a biopsy review.  Post the investigative outcomes, we will be in a definitive position to suggest a possible line of treatment.

Possible Line of Treatment / Plan: Once the diagnosis of Acute Myeloid leukemia is confirmed, Mr. DBwill require Induction chemotherapy to begin the treatment. The aim will be to achieve remission from the disease by destroying as many cancer cells as possible, followed by consolidation chemotherapy aiming to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.. In most cases, this is the treatment plan.

However, there is a possibility that he may also need an Allogenic Bone Marrow transplant to avoid a relapse of the disease.

Induction chemotherapy is the first and strongest dose of chemo given to quickly shrink or kill cancer cells. It’s used in aggressive cancers like leukemia or high-risk tumors. The goal is to achieve remission (reduce cancer signs) before further treatments like consolidation or stem cell transplant.

Consolidation chemotherapy is extra treatment given after the main therapy (like surgery or initial chemo) to kill any remaining cancer cells. It helps lower the chance of the cancer coming back. Usually given for a short period, it’s like a “clean-up” step to ensure the best results.

Allogenic Bone Marrow / Stem Cell Transplant uses healthy blood stem cells from a matching donor’s body to replace bone marrow that’s not working properly. For this, a Healthy and matching donor is needed. This is usually a DNA-matched sibling.

If a matching donor is not available, then we may take a donation from a half-match donor, such as either of the parents or less matched siblings. This is called Haplo Identical BMT.

While he plans to come to India, in case DB is already taking Chemo back at home, and the disease is in remission, we can directly start with BMT.

Kindly note: The advised plan is solely based on the reports shared with us. The final line of treatment will be decided post the physical and clinical evaluations of the patient on arrival only. 

We’d recommend the following hospitals having acclaimed Bone Marrow Transplantation doctors as below:

1. Sanar International Hospital  – Gurgaon, Delhi NCR.

Dr. Satyendra Katewa will be the treating hematology doctor.

2. Sharda University Hospital, – Noida, Delhi NCR.

Dr. Anil Thakwani will be the treating hematology doctor.

3. KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad 

Dr. Narender Kumar Thota will be the treating hematology doctor.

4. Amrita Hospitals – Fardabad, Delhi NCR.

Dr. Pravas Chandra Mishra will be the treating hematology doctor.

5. BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital – New Delhi

Dr. Dharma Choudhary will be the treating doctor in India for Bone Marrow Transplant.

Estimated costs:

The estimated cost of the Initial Evaluations will be approximately. USD 1500-2000 on OPD basis

The estimated cost of Induction at various hospitals will be approximately.:-

The estimated cost of an Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplant will be approximately.:-

In case a matching donor is not available and we have to do a Haplo identical BMT, the cost will go up by $6000-$8000.

*Cost of Post-Bone Marrow Transplant would be USD 1500 approx. And if there are any complications, the cost may vary.

Kindly Note: The above rates are on an approximate basis; actual charges will depend upon the final plan confirmed on the basis of medical evaluation at the hospital.

Stay in India:

For  Chemotherapy //For induction chemo- The patient may require 1 month on day care basis.

For Bone Marrow Transplant – The transplant will take 25-27 days stay in hospital. Post-Transplant he will still take another 4-5 weeks of follow up before he can fly back.

Total Stay In India- 4- 6 months.

Inclusions in the cost of BMT Package: –
1. Pre-transplant workup includes confirmation of disease with staging, hematological and biochemical workup, virological screening, echocardiogram, pulmonary function test and other investigations
2.  Hospitalization of the patient for 3 weeks in a HEPA filter room
3. Hickman catheter insertion
4. Immunosuppressive drugs
5.  Growth factors (G CSF), Antibiotics, Antifungal and Antiviral drugs
6. Blood products (PRBCs, Platelets, FFP).
7.  Laboratory investigations during transplant (Hematological, biochemistry, blood culture, drug assay for cyclosporine).
8.  Radiological investigations
9. Doctor’s fees & Nursing charges

On Arrival: The Patient will be received at the airport by our Representative. Apart from the medical and nursing team, one Case Manager will take care of all the needs. We shall also assist the family with the reasonably charged accommodation near the hospital. They may prepare USD 30-50 per day towards accommodation in the guest house after discharge from the hospital.

Disclaimer – This is a sample opinion for a better understanding of non-medicals and patients. The above is an opinion which has been accumulated from the many good but different opinions received from multiple doctors. The treating doctor is the best person to give you accurate information.  The actual Treatment Plan may vary from case to case.