Daijiworld Media Network – Nashik
Nashik, Sep 7: Marking World Leukemia Day, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre (HCGMCC) highlighted the urgent need for awareness, timely diagnosis, and advanced treatment for leukemia, a blood cancer that continues to affect thousands across India annually.
Leukemia, which begins in the blood and bone marrow, impacts white blood cells. While adults are at higher risk, children remain vulnerable, with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) being the most common type in younger patients.
“The challenge with leukemia is that its symptoms — persistent fatigue, bone pain, recurrent infections, unexplained weight loss, easy bruising, or bleeding — are often mistaken for other conditions. If such signs persist, immediate medical consultation is critical,” said Dr Priyatesh Dwivedi, Hemato-oncology and BMT Specialist, HCGMCC.
He added that innovations such as CAR-T Cell Therapy and targeted therapies are transforming care. “We’re not just treating cancer, we’re curing it. At HCGMCC, these therapies are now accessible so patients in Nashik need not travel to metros for world-class care,” he noted.
Diagnosis usually involves blood counts, bone marrow biopsies, imaging scans, and molecular tests. At HCGMCC, specialists use these alongside advanced technologies for accurate staging and tailored treatment. “Thanks to breakthroughs in targeted and immune therapies and wider use of stem cell transplants, many patients today lead longer, healthier lives. Our mission is to bring these global advancements locally, ensuring tier 2 and 3 cities like Nashik have equal access,” Dr Dwivedi said.
Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplants, and CAR-T Cell Therapy. Globally, leukemia accounts for a major share of blood cancers, with risk factors ranging from family history and genetic disorders to smoking, radiation exposure, and harmful chemicals.
Calling for greater public awareness, Dr Dwivedi stressed, “This World Leukemia Day calls for proactive screening. By bridging global medical innovations with local access, we continue to redefine cancer care in India.”