Aplastic Anaemia Treatment in India

Aplastic Anemia is a condition where the bone marrow fails to synthesize an adequate number of new blood cells, leaving individuals fatigued and susceptible to infections and uncontrollable bleeding. This rare and severe ailment can manifest at any age, either suddenly or gradually worsening over time, and its severity can range from mild to profound. Treatment approaches for aplastic anemia may encompass medications, blood transfusions, or bone marrow transplant.

Why is Aplastic Anaemia Treatment Needed?

Various diseases and conditions have the potential to cause aplastic anemia by destroying the blood forming cells in the bone marrow, resulting in reduced production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In some instances, aplastic anemia can be inherited. This condition heightens the risk of complications such as bleeding, leukemia, or other severe blood disorders. Without proper intervention, aplastic anemia can lead to serious medical issues, including irregular heartbeat and heart failure. If diagnosed with aplastic anemia, seeking medical attention at the first sign of infection, such as a fever, is crucial to prevent complications that could become life-threatening.

Your doctor may advise you following diagnostic tests after assessing your medical history, symptoms, and overall health status in order to confirm aplastic anemia and proceed for the accurate treatment afterwards:

• Complete Blood Count: Normal blood cell levels for red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets typically fall within specific ranges. Aplastic anemia is characterized by low levels in all three types of blood cells.
• Peripheral Blood Smear Examination: MUnder a microscope, medical pathologists examine your platelets and blood cells.
• Reticulocyte Count: This test measures the number of reticulocytes, or immature red blood cells.
• Bone Marrow Examination: During a bone marrow aspiration, a healthcare professional employs a thin needle to extract a small amount of liquid bone marrow, typically from the back of the hipbone (pelvis). Concurrently, a bone marrow biopsy is often conducted, extracting a small piece of bone tissue along with the enclosed marrow.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy: In this procedure, a doctor utilizes a needle to collect a small sample of bone marrow from a substantial bone in the body, such as the hipbone. The obtained sample undergoes microscopic examination to rule out other blood-related diseases. Aplastic anemia is identified by a lower-than-normal presence of blood cells in the bone marrow. A definitive diagnosis of aplastic anemia necessitates the conduction of a bone marrow biopsy.
• Compatibility Testing: In order to match you with a suitable kidney, the transplant center will need to determine your blood and tissue type. Blood samples will be taken for the following tests:
• Blood Typing: A donor with a compatible blood type is preferred. Blood types include A, B, AB, and O.
• Tissue Typing (HLA Typing): This test compares the tissue within your body to that of the potential donor. A good match reduces the likelihood of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in case of allogeneic transplants.
• Crossmatching: Your body produces antibodies that defend against foreign substances like germs or viruses. These antibodies are generated when you experience infections, become pregnant, receive a blood transfusion, or undergo an organ transplant. To prevent your body from rejecting new blood forming cells, this test is recommended.
• Overall Body Tests: It may involve thorough electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, and MRIs

If your doctors selects blood transfusion as your treatment plan for aplastic anemia then you may expect following:

• Prior to administering the transfusion, a nurse or doctor will measure the patient's body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse
• The blood transfusion procedure is started once the intravenous (IV) line is inserted at the desired place in the patient’s body
• The patient will start receiving fresh blood through the IV
• A simple transfusion of blood can take one to four hours, depending on the volume of blood transfused

If your doctors selects bone marrow transplant as your treatment plan for aplastic anemia then you may expect following:

• If a compatible donor is identified, the procedure initiates with the application of radiation or chemotherapy to deplete the diseased bone marrow. 
• Subsequently, healthy stem cells sourced from the donor's blood undergo filtration. 
• After preoperative preparation including anesthesia administration, an intravenous catheter, a long, thin tube is implanted in a big vein in your neck or chest. 
• The catheter, which is also referred to as a central line, is often left in its position during your therapy. 
• The central line will be used by the transplant team to inject drugs, blood components, and the transplanted progenitor cells into your body.
• These purified stem cells are then intravenously infused into the recipient's bloodstream, where they migrate to the bone marrow cavities, instigating the production of new blood cells.

The majority of patients experience no adverse effects from blood transfusions. However, a few patients might encounter:

• Chills and a fever
• Mild allergic reaction characterized by itching and hives

Complications after bone marrow transplant may be acute (occurring within 90 days) or chronic (long-standing). These are as follows:

• Infection: Since the immunosuppression occurs after a bone marrow transplant, antimicrobial prophylaxis is very necessary. It is done with levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, acyclovir, and metronidazole.
• Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (SOS): This syndrome is characterized by tender liver enlargement, jaundice, ascites, and weight gain due to fluid retention. As per reports, 13.6% of patients suffer from this syndrome after BMT.
• Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome (IPS): It is a lung infection that generally occurs in the first 90 days post-transplant.
• Graft Rejection or Failure: Graft rejection or failure is the loss of bone marrow function following reconstitution after hematopoietic progenitor cell infusion or the absence of an increase in function.
• Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD): Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is caused by a reaction between T lymphocytes from the donor in an allogeneic transplant and the recipient's certain genes, resulting in a slew of symptoms and manifestations.
• Toxicity: Post-transplant immunosuppression, can cause severe pancytopenia (significant reduction in blood cell count) in the first week after bone marrow transplant, leading to life-threatening infection.

The transplantation process necessitates an extended hospital stay. Following the transplant, medications are administered to mitigate the risk of rejection of the donated stem cells. Blood tests and other tests will be performed in the days and weeks following your bone marrow transplant to check your condition. You may require medication to treat problems such as nausea and diarrhea.

There will be close medical supervision of you following your bone marrow transplant. You may need to stay in the hospital for several days or longer if you have infections or other issues. You may also require red blood cell and platelet transfusions until your bone marrow produces enough of those cells on its own.

For months to years following your transplant, you may be more susceptible to infections or other problems. You must see your doctor frequently for the rest of your life to monitor for late complications.

While not a cure, blood transfusions can effectively manage bleeding and alleviate symptoms by supplying the blood cells that the bone marrow fails to produce.

The long-term overall survival rate after bone marrow transplant in children suffering from aplastic anemia is over 90%. Recent research findings indicate survival rates falling within the range of 70% to 90% even for adults. Additionally, a more recent study encompassing both pediatric and adult patients, with a follow-up period of 4 years, also demonstrated a 100% survival rate. For individuals aged over 50, the utilization of reduced-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) along with fludarabine (FLU) as part of the conditioning regimen has resulted in enhanced survival outcomes and reduced risk of transplant-related mortality.

The cost of Aplastic Anaemia Treatment in India varies according to various factors which are discussed in the next section of this article. However, the approximate cost of the procedure  may range from AAAAAA—ZZZZZZ.

Following are the factors affecting the cost of Aplastic Anemia treatment in India:

• Doctor’s Fees: The number of successful cases accomplished by the doctor may affect the cost of treatment. Generally, higher the expertise, higher will be the cost. The doctor with more years of work experience in handling aplastic anemia cases will charge more.
• Overall Health Status of Patients: People having prevailing illnesses and old-age people will be at risk of getting more complications. So, there will be more post-operative care for them which will increase the cost.
• Out of Pocket Expense: If your treatment is not being covered under your health insurance policy, then you may have to pay a higher out of pocket amount for the treatment. 
• Pre-Evaluation Expenses: Various tests will be performed to assess your condition thoroughly. This will alter the total cost of the program on the basis of the pre-evaluation examination suggested.
• Cost of Additional Services: You may have to pay more fees and increase your expenses if you are choosing extensive and more sophisticated services in the hospital.
• Type of Treatment: Depending upon your condition, your team of doctors will plan the treatment for you. Bone marrow will cost you more than any other treatment modality for aplastic anemia. 
• Type of Hospital: A corporate hospital will charge you more than the government hospital for the same services.
• The city where the hospital is located: Hospitals located in bigger cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Noida, Gurugram, etc. may charge comparatively more than the hospitals located in smaller cities. This is because hospitals in the metropolises can facilitate you better in every aspect.

An approximate cost of diagnostics for Aplastic Anemia treatment:

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