Multiple myeloma is a global health challenge and is increasing worldwide. In developed countries like India, the UK, the USA, and Europe, advanced treatment for this condition has improved the survival rate. However, in African countries, the disease is often left undiagnosed and untreated due to limited access to medical care.
Moreover, the limited healthcare infrastructure and expensive rate of treatment create barriers for many patients in African nations. Therefore, people from many African countries, like Ghana, Ethiopia, Congo, and Kenya, travel all the way to India for affordable treatment.
India's combination of cost-effective treatment and international standards of healthcare makes it an alluring destination. It's ideal for those seeking comprehensive multiple myeloma treatment without compromising on quality. Thus, it's not surprising that patients from around the world are increasingly choosing India over the UK, USA, and Thailand.
Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer that affects the plasma cells, or B cells, in the immune system. These white blood cells protect our body against infection by producing immunoglobulins and antibodies. Thus, multiple myeloma creates a range of medical issues, affecting our bones, kidneys, and red and white blood cells as well. With this rare disease, our white blood cells become cancerous and grow uncontrollably.
The treatment of this condition involves a combination of various therapies focused on controlling the evolving cancer. Different types of multiple myeloma treatment are available, including chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and immunotherapy. These treatments are known to be effective in destroying or reducing the growth of abnormal plasma cells.
In some cases, patients also need supportive treatment like bisphosphonates and blood transfusions. It's important to remember that multiple myeloma cannot be completely cured, but these effective treatments can increase survival rates and help patients’ well-being.
This rare blood cancer or multiple myeloma can be divided into two main subtypes, which are:
These cells have more chromosomes than a normal cell should have. Approximately 45% of multiple myeloma cases are due to these less aggressive cells.
These myeloma cells consist of fewer chromosomes than usual. Almost 40% of people are affected by these aggressive multiple myeloma.
However, different other types of multiple myeloma exist, and some precancerous conditions can influence the development of this condition. Those are:
Generally, multiple myeloma is divided into 1 to 3 stages. The result of your diagnosis will help your oncologist decide which stage of myeloma you have. The staging is done using the International Staging System or the Durie Salmon Staging System.
Stage 1: Identified with a lower level of beta-2-microglobulin, which is less than 3.5 mg/L. Also, the albumin level is 35 g/L or more in this stage.
Stage 2: Characterised by Intermediate levels of beta-2-microglobulin and albumin. In this stage, beta-2-microglobulin level is more than 3.5mg/L but less than 5.5mg/L and any albumin level.
Stage 3: In this stage, patients beta-2-microglobulin must be 5.5mg/L.
Stage 1: At this level, haemoglobin should be 100 g/L or more. Patient IgA and IgG levels should be 30 and 50 gm per litre consecutively. M protein in urine must be less than 4 gm.
Stage 2: This stage is characterised by the moderate number of myeloma cells found in the tests.
Stage 3: When a patient's IgG level is more than 70 g/L and the IgA level is more than 50 g/L, it detects multiple myeloma symptoms end-stage. At this stage, the haemoglobin level is less than 85 g/L, and there are several areas of bone damage.
Diagnosis of multiple myeloma can involve various test procedures, including:
A laboratory test that analyses the presence of M proteins in your blood cells produced by myeloma cells. This detects and provides insights into the multiple myeloma symptoms of end-stage and aggressiveness of the myeloma cells. Moreover, it can also diagnose your kidney function, blood cell count, and uric acid level.
One specific multiple myeloma prognosis detects the presence of Bence-Jones protein. If this protein is detected in your urine with a high concentration, it is a strong indication of multiple myeloma.
This is a crucial test in which your doctor will take a sample of bone marrow for biopsy. In this procedure, doctors take a small amount of tissue from your pelvic bone and examine it for the presence of cancerous plasma cells.
Some imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, identify any bone-related issues, including multiple myeloma.
Treatment for multiple myeloma depends on the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and their response to the particular treatment. However, some of the effective treatments include:
A stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma is one of the most effective cancer treatments. In this procedure, the diseased bone marrow is replaced with a healthy one. This transplant is effective with a high dose of chemotherapy to destroy the diseased bone marrow.
For instance, multiple myeloma surgery can be classified into two types: Autologous and Allogenic bone marrow transplant. When a stem cell transplant happens using your own cells, it is called an autologous transplant. While stem cells come from another healthy donor, generally a person with genetic matches with the patient, they are called an allogeneic transplant.
This therapy is another solution for treating cancerous cells. High doses of chemotherapy use vital multiple myeloma medications like melphalan and cyclophosphamide, which effectively destroy the rapidly growing myeloma cells. These drugs are also used in combination with other treatments, such as bone marrow transplants or targeted therapy.
Multiple myeloma medications like daratumumab and elotuzumab are used in immunotherapy treatments, which boost the immune system to combat cancer cells. In addition, therapy drugs help to target specific proteins or myeloma cells. This is also called targeted therapy, as it precisely targets the damaged tissues and can lead to long-lasting results.
This advanced therapy uses cutting-edge technology to train your immune cells to fight multiple myeloma. It removes and modifies patients' T-cells from blood vessels. With this advanced treatment, patients with multiple myeloma can have a better quality of life and long-term immunity.
The exact cost of multiple myeloma treatment varies widely depending upon the country, its location, clinic reputation, and other factors. For instance, in the UK, private clinics and hospitals charge between $65,000 and $130,000. In the USA, the cost of the treatment starts from $150,000, making it one of the most expensive places for cancer treatment.
Due to these reasons, African patients travel abroad all the way to India to have world-class treatment for multiple myeloma. India has highly skilled oncologists and the most advanced technology for providing the best-quality treatment. The country offers therapy at a notably low cost, ranging between $10000 and $25000.
For all these reasons, India has emerged as a global medical hub for patients seeking high standards of cancer care.
PSRI Hospital, Delhi 
TX Hospitals, Hyderabad 
Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut 
Kinder Hospitals, Kochi 
Artemis Hospitals 
Max Hospital, Saket 
Dr. Harish Verma 
Dr. Archit Pandit 
Dr. Lalit Kumar 
Dr. Amit Upadhyay 
Dr. Ankur Bahl 
Dr. Gagan Gautam 
Dr. S M Shuaib Zaidi 
Dr. Sukriti Gupta 
Dr. Jalaj Baxi 
Dr. Kabir Rehmani 
Dr. Praveen Jain 
.png)