Why International Patients Prefer India for Leukemia Treatment

Discover why international patients choose India for leukemia treatment—advanced therapies, expert hematologists, affordable care, and world-class cancer hospitals.

Why International Patients Prefer India for Leukemia Treatment

  • Category

    Cancer

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    28-Jul-2025

Leukemia treatment in India

Leukemia is a blood cancer which targets the lymphatic system and the bone marrow. One of the reasons why India is a common choice of people seeking treatment of leukemia is that India has a well-developed medical infrastructure, specialist oncologists and the prices of treatment there are by far cheaper than those in the Western world.

The Leukemia treated in India are:

ALL or Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

ALL is primarily observed in children, but it can also affect adults, in which case, the symptoms may include fatigue, infection, easy bleeding and bruising, fever, swollen lymph nodes. The main available forms of therapy are chemotherapy, target therapy and bone marrow transplant.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is categorized in adult and childhood leukemia that rapidly progresses and has some of the symptoms like anemia, easy bruising, recurrent infections and bone pain. They comprise chemotherapy, mammary therapy, and transplantation of bone marrow.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

CLL is mostly prevalent in the older people and is characterized by the gradual development of leukemia in the lymphocytes. Therefore, some of the symptoms are; exhaustion, enlargement of the lymph nodes, and recurrent infections. The treatment plan might not call for a quick response, reaction, effort or measure.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

CML was recognized mostly in adults, it is slow progressing disease, but sometimes it has a tendency to blast crisis, where it affects myeloid cells. Some of the indicators include; weakness, thinning, sleepless sweating and distended liver. Some treatments that are recommended include the targeted therapy, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.

Typical Therapy Choices:

  • Chemotherapy -The first line therapy is particularly in acute leukemias.
  • Targeted Therapy - Applicable to certain genetic abnormalities (e.g. Imatinib in CML).
  • Radiation Therapy - Occasionally this form of treatment is applied alongside others.
  • Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant- This will work on a high-risk case or relapse.
  • Immunotherapy- Monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy (check select centers in India).
  • Supportive Care - It consists of antibiotic therapy, blood transfusion and nutritional support.

Best hospitals for leukemia treatment

Affordable leukemia treatment centers India:

Factors Affecting Cost of leukemia treatment in India

The overall expense of leukemia treatment in India may greatly differ based on a number of medical, hospital-related, and logistical considerations. Below is an outline of the major factors contributing to the overall cost of treatment:

  • Type and Stage of Leukemia
  • Treatment Modality Required
  • Type of Bone Marrow Transplant (if needed)
  • Hospital Type and Location
  • Diagnostic Tests and Monitoring
  • Length of Hospital Stay and ICU Requirement
  • Doctor’s Expertise and Consultation Fees
  • Post-Treatment Care and Follow-Up
  • Donor Search & Registry Charges (for transplant)
  • International Patient Services

Advanced leukemia therapies in India

In India, there is a greater availability of treatment of leukemia, and some of the leading hospitals in India have state of the art treatments that are at par with the world. The following are the most promising forms of treatment that leukemia has to offer at present in the country of India especially in major hospitals, and cancer centres.

Targeted Therapy

  • Targeted drugs strike precisely cancer cells with the minimal damage to other healthy ones.

Examples:

  • Imatinib (Gleevec), Dasatinib,Nilotinib- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).
  • Ivosidenib, Enasidenib IB, IL, ID, IF, IP, IJ, IK, IL, IM, IN, IO, IP, IQ, IR IOS, vibrant, idzable
  • Venetoclax + Azacitidine - in older /unfit patients of AML.

Immunotherapy

  • Immunotherapy enhances or alters the immune environment in order to attack leukemia cells.

Types:

  • Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Rituximab in CD 20 + CLL
  • Blinatumomab- in B-cell ALL
  • Inotuzumab Ozogamicin in relapsed /refractory ALL
  • Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Cases of clinical trials or special resistant cases (e.g. Pembrolizumab)

CAR-T Cells Therapy (Trending in India)

  • One of the options currently in the most advanced and promising stages, in particular, in relapsed/refractory B-ALL and DLBCL, is CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy).

Bone Marrow / Stem cell Transplantation

India is able to carry advanced methods of transplant:

  • Haploidentical Transplants (using family donors who are half-matched)
  • Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) through Indian and international registries (e.g. DATRI)
  • Cord Blood Transplants in patients with paediatrics
  • In AML, ALL and relapsed leukemias Applied

Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Monitoring

  • The monitoring of MRD has become advanced with advanced labs monitoring their progress by way of Flow cytometry and PCR in order to make treatment decisions and monitor the detection of relapse.
  • A used particularly in ALL, AML post-chemotherapy

Next-Generation Sequencing, or NGS

  • Personalized use of therapy plans asking about genetic profiling of leukemia cells (precision medicine). 

Helps identify:

  • Idh1 2, Flt, Npm1 mutations in AML
  • TP53 or IGHV in CLL

Clinical trials

In India, there are an increasing number of trials concerning leukemia (Phase I-III) and there are:

  • Monoclonal antibodies
  • Small inhibitors machineries
  • Bi-specific T-cell engagers

Top doctors for leukemia treatment India

Chemotherapy for leukemia in India

  • Induction Therapy: The first goal of the treatment was to place the leukemia into a state of relapse. It uses very strong chemotherapy medications, mostly administered through an IV drip.
  • Common drugs: Ara C, Daumorubicin, Idarubicin.
  • Consolidation Therapy: This is done after remission in order to kill of any leukemia cells that may still be present but are too small to be seen.
  • High-dose Chemotherapy: Occasionally given in individuals where there are chances that the client may relapse.

Bone marrow transplant for leukemia India

  • Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant: This is recommended for patients who are most likely to have a relapse. Those include but are not limited to; Auto-transplantation, in which the individual receives his/her own stem cells, deceased donors, in which stem cells are harvested from a deceased person, matched unrelated donor in which stem cells are taken from a stranger with close HLA match to the patient or family member in which stem cells are taken from a related but non-identical donor.
  • Autologous Stem Cell Transplant: This is where the patient’s own stem cells are collected, stored and then modified by other processes to exterminate any existing malignant cells.

Book leukemia treatment in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Leukemia treatment.
  • Expert oncologist with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

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