Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 28: India is facing an alarming surge in cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) — a fast-progressing and aggressive blood cancer — as health experts warn that late diagnoses and high treatment costs are severely affecting survival outcomes.

Ranked just behind the US and China in AML incidence as of 2021, India’s growing burden is being compounded by systemic delays in detection and limited access to affordable care.

“AML often begins with symptoms like fatigue or fever, which are easily mistaken for minor ailments. By the time patients are accurately diagnosed, the disease is often in an advanced stage,” said Dr. Ranjit Sahoo, a medical oncologist at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Though AML can be detected through a basic blood test, treatment is typically provided only at tertiary healthcare centres — and comes at a steep cost. Many patients arrive late, often driven by financial constraints, only worsening their chances of recovery.

“AML is one of the most aggressive forms of leukaemia. While effective chemotherapy regimens exist, treatment is riddled with risks — from severe infections to bone marrow suppression,” noted Dr. Abhay A. Bhave, a Mumbai-based haematologist.

A major concern is the relapsing nature of the disease, which can be genetically driven and requires long-term, often expensive management. While targeted therapies have shown promise — improving remission rates and reducing side effects — their high costs remain a barrier for most Indian patients. Bone marrow transplants, another treatment option, are also out of reach for many.

“Around 60 per cent of patients we see come in with severe infections or bleeding — signs that the disease has already progressed,” said Dr. Punit L Jain, a specialist in leukaemia.

Experts are now urging the integration of AML into India’s national cancer control strategy. They recommend broader access to early diagnostics, coverage of AML-targeted therapies under public healthcare schemes like Ayushman Bharat, and inclusion in private insurance policies to ease financial burdens. Support for clinical research and trials is also essential to expand treatment options tailored to Indian needs.

Without swift intervention, AML could become an increasingly difficult public health challenge — one where time, awareness, and affordability will determine who gets to fight, and who does not.