Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment in India
As a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patient, you may have many questions in your mind. You may be also thinking about the cost expenses and treatment options for it.
But do you know that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment in India is one way to get the best medical care at an affordable cost?
India offers bone marrow transplants, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy at an affordable cost.
To ensure that you don’t have any trouble in your treatment journey in the country, we have brought you all the information.
Let’s get started on finding the best treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, abbreviated as NHL, is a disease that results from cancerous cells where the growth of white blood cells called lymphocytes is abnormal. This causes multiplication in tissues of your body’s immune system leading to tumor formation.
- Although the cause of NHL has not been defined, weakened immunity, certain infections, and exposure to chemicals may heighten the risk of developing it. Awareness of these conditions can provide early prevention as well as diagnosis before symptoms occur.
- The key symptoms involve swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, loss of weight, and malaise. This should be reported to a healthcare provider as early as possible.
- NHL is classified according to the type of lymphocyte that is affected as B-cell or T-cell and also by the extent of its progression from stage I, localized, to stage IV, advanced. Its type and stage can thus explain the specific approach in its treatment.
- A combination of various physical exams, blood tests, imaging studies, and biopsies is often necessary for the diagnosis of NHL. Early and accurate diagnosis marks successful treatment.
- Treatment Options in India
- NHL can be treated by several methods in India; chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The choice of treatment you will get depends upon the classification and stage of your NHL.
- The selection of the hospital and the oncologist may make a difference in the treatment. To get the best possible treatments, find better cancer centers and experienced oncologists in India.
- India is known to provide very good-quality treatment at a very minimal cost compared to other countries. Cost may differ according to the type of treatment and based on the hospital chosen.
- Survival rate varies among NHL patients, but early stages coupled with proper treatment will increase the chance of cure. Most of the patients who acquire NHL in India are cured and remain in long-term remission. For peace of mind, knowing your prognosis and available treatments is essential.
What is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system of your body. Generally, it affects adults but it may happen to kids as well.
NHL starts in lymph nodes. It is also generally referred to as lymphoma as there are various types of lymphoma and NHL is one of them.
What causes Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
Doctors don’t know the exact cause of NHL. But it happens when your body creates innumerable lymphocytes. Normally, old lymphocytes die and then new ones replace them. But in NHL your lymphocytes don’t die. At the same time, your body keeps creating new lymphocytes.
There are some risk factors that are closely linked to NHL. So if you are associated with any of these risk factors, there are higher chances of developing NHL. Which means it is important for you to learn about them. Here are they:
- If you are taking any medication that suppresses the immune system, it increases the risk of NHL
- Infection with bacteria such as H.Pylori and HIV virus increases the risk of NHL
- Exposure to chemicals like pesticides and insecticides increases the risk of NHL
- Aging also increases the risk of NHL. Even though it may happen at any age, increasing age also increases the risk of it.
Now that you know the risk factors and causes, let’s move on and learn more about this disease.
Where does exactly NHL happen?
NHL can start in your lymphatic system which is part of the immune system. It performs many functions like balancing the fluid in your body, removing waste, transporting nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to different parts, producing germ-fighting white blood cells for your immune system, and maintaining blood pressure levels.
NHL can happen anywhere in your body where lymph tissues ( tissues in your body that have lymphocytes and part of your immune system) are there. Lymph tissues are majorly found in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, Adenoids and tonsils, and digestive tract.
What are the signs and symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
The symptoms of NHL may include the following:
- Pain in the abdomen and swelling
- Fever
- Sweating at night
- Weight loss without any reason
- Chest pain, cough, and trouble breathing
- Fatigue for a long time
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, and neck
If any of these symptoms remain for a long time, and if you are at any risk factors for NHL, it is time to visit the doctor.
What are the different types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
It is very important for you to know what type of NHL it is because the treatment is highly dependent on the type.
The type of lymphoma depends on
- What type of lymphocyte is affected (B cell or T cell)
- How mature cells are while becoming cancerous
Also, the type of treatment you will get will depend on the type of NHL you have and how mature the cells are when they become cancerous. So, let’s compare and contrast the types depending on these two factors.
NHL can be categorized depending on how fast the cancer spreads and grow.
1. Indolent Lymphoma (IL)
IL grows and spreads slowly. Some of these lymphomas do not need immediate treatment and your doctor may watch it closely.
2. Aggressive Lymphoma (AL)
AL grows and spreads very quickly. You cannot delay its treatment. Some lymphomas do not fall into either of these two categories.
1. B lymphocytes (B cells)
B-cells usually produce proteins called antibodies to protect your body against bacteria and viruses. These antibodies attach to the germs and mark them so that other parts of your immune system can kill them.
2. T lymphocytes (T cells)
Some T cells kill germs and abnormal cells in your body. Other T cells regulates the activities of different other cells of your immune system by speeding up or slowing down these activities.
World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the NHL types based on the following:
- How the lymphoma looks under a microscope
- In which type of lymphocyte the lymphoma starts in
- The lymphoma cells’ chromosome features
- The presence of some proteins on the surface of the cancer cells
What are the different stages of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
There are 4 stages of NHL. From stage 1 to stage 4.
Stage I: The onset of cancer at this early stage is slow if it is not aggressive lymphoma. In stage 1, cancer is found in 1 lymph node.
Stage II: In stage 2, cancer is spread to at least 2 lymph nodes on the same side of the body diaphragm. At Least, one organ and its nearby lymph nodes get involved in stage 2.
Stage III: In stage 3, cancer is found in the lymph nodes of both sides of the diaphragm.
Stage IV: In stage 4, cancer spreads throughout the body outside lymph nodes. It spreads to the liver, bone marrow, and lungs.
Stage 3 and stage 4 NHL are very common and they are treatable and curable. Often stages 3 and 4 are considered one category because the same treatment is applied to both.
How Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is diagnosed?
Doctors will try to understand the medical history of the family to know the chances of NHL. Apart from that, various tests will be used to diagnose it.
Blood tests can help your doctor find out the signs of NHL. Some of these signs are anemia or low levels of red blood cells (which carry oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues). Doctors may also check for abnormalities like high levels of some proteins.
Your doctor will also take a tissue sample from a swollen lymph node that they found during the physical examination or CT, PET, or MRI. They will then examine the tissue sample under a microscope to check if there is a specific protein or genetic mutation in cancer cells.
Doctors do all these tests to identify the type of NHL and decide on the type of treatment you may need.
Your doctor may use imaging tests to find out how far the cancer has spread. They may prescribe a CT scan, PET scan, MRI scan, and ultrasound. These tests help your doctor decide which treatment will be the best for you.
Your doctor may also take the help of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to check if NHL has spread to your bone marrow. If the lymphoma has reached there, it means the disease is in its advanced stage.
The procedure needs local anesthesia and you can go home on the same day.
If doctors suspect that the NHL has spread to your cerebrospinal fluid ( a clear fluid surrounding your brain and spine), your doctor may perform a lumbar puncture. The doctor will insert a needle to collect cerebrospinal fluid for analysis. You will be given local anesthesia.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment in India
If you plan to come to India for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment, you should know that the country follows international standards and offers advanced therapies and personalized medical care.
While many of us think of Western countries (USA, UK) when it comes to non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment, India has risen to the top as one of the best countries in the world, with high success and survival rates.
Treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma depends on what stage the NHL is.
Doctors see which type of lymphocytes are involved, what stage it is, and whether it is aggressive or not. It helps them to decide which combination of treatments they require.
If lymphoma is indolent, the doctor may not suggest any immediate treatment and keep watch on it. If it is aggressive then various treatments are performed.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for NHL. In chemotherapy drugs are administered either orally or by injection.
For people having NHL, chemotherapy is used with bone marrow transplants. Doctors use powerful drugs to destroy the cancer cells in this therapy. These medicines can be given orally, intravenously, or using an injection.
In radiation therapy, high-energy beams of radiation like protons and X-rays are used to kill cancer cells. These high-energy beams are targeted to specific parts of your body.
Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy for better results. It is often used with chemotherapy and other treatments.
Targeted drug therapy looks for specific weaknesses in the cancer cells and targets that weakness to kill that cancer cell. It is often combined with chemotherapy, to avoid recurrence of lymphoma.
It is used alone or in combination with other treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Engineering immune cells is a technique that allows doctors to control your immune cells and their signalling to come up with new immunotherapies and a better understanding of your immune system.
CAR-T cell therapy is one example of engineering immune cells.
The doctors use immunotherapy to make your immune system stronger to fight cancer cells. The body’s immune system doesn’t kill cancer cells because they produce similar proteins to normal cells. Immunotherapy interferes with this process and the immune system then kills cancerous cells.
In bone marrow transplants, high doses of chemotherapy and radiation are used to suppress your immune system. Then healthy bone marrow cells are infused from your body or from the donor’s body to rebuild the bone marrow.
If you are planning to undergo BMT, you should know that it is a complex treatment that involves risk. That is why you need to get it done in a reputed transplant center or hospital.
MedicoExperts can assist you in connecting with the best hospital and transplant centers in India with a proven track record. This will help you completely concentrate on your recovery process instead of wasting your time in finding the best hospital for the procedure.
For NHL, a bone marrow transplant is a good option if other treatments don’t work.
For more information, visit our bone marrow transplant page.
The typical approach of doctors to treat Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
The treatment protocol depends on the type and stage of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as the patient’s overall health, personal needs, and goals.
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or radiation therapy are the most common treatments for Stages I and II of NHL.
If your lymphoma has spread to the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord, you may need intrathecal chemotherapy (IT Chemo). IT chemo is a process in which chemo medicine is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid. It is performed during a lumbar puncture.
To receive this treatment, your doctor will insert a thin needle between your lower back bones and inject chemo drugs directly into your spinal fluid.
Bone marrow transplant is a curative option for some types of NHL after treatment, or if the disease returns after treatment. This procedure involves extracting and preserving immature blood cells known as stem cells. You can get stem cells from a donor or use your own.
The lymphoma cells in your body are then killed with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation. The stem cells are then implanted into your body, where they will grow and rebuild healthy blood cells over time.
In Bulky Stage II, Stage III, and IV, doctors use monoclonal antibodies as a treatment, along with chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies are the clones of antibodies in your body that are produced in a lab.
Doctors use monoclonal antibodies for therapy to use them as substitute antibodies that can boost, restore, and mimic your immune system’s attack on cells. Apart from that, chemotherapy is used with immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and in some cases radiation therapy.
How to choose the best hospital for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment in India?
Choosing a hospital in India for cancer treatment can be difficult for you. However, you should make sure the hospital you choose has the latest technologies and follows a multidisciplinary approach.
To handle the complexity, the hospital should have a highly skilled team of oncologists, including medical, surgical, and radio oncologists, as well as a well-trained paramedical staff.
In addition, you must ensure that the hospital has a dedicated cancer treatment unit and a well-trained post-care team. Also, look into the hospital’s cancer treatment success and survival rates.
These are some of the criteria we follow while forming the MedicoExperts panel of hospitals. We ensure that during your treatment you get nothing but the best.
How to choose the best oncologist for your Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment in India?
To improve your chances of success and survival, you should consult more than one oncologist. You should not rely on just one doctor for a successful outcome and higher success and survival rates.
The tumor board approach is a new way to improve non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patient survival rates. To achieve the best possible treatment outcome, the tumor board approach uses a team of highly skilled medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists.
MedicoExperts helps patients all over the world get the best possible treatment and survival rates by using this tumor board approach to treating them.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment Cost in India
The cost for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment in India varies depending on the size of the tumor and stage of cancer. Moreover, the treatment option is chosen according to the condition of the patient.
A cancer evaluation will reveal the extent of the spread and the best-suited treatment to restrict and cure it. The cost for cancer evaluation starts from 500 USD (37210 INR).
After the initial evaluation, the oncologist will be able to gauge what treatment should be recommended. Thanks to advancements in technology and innovation, newer and safer surgical options are also possible.
Advanced cutting-edge treatments like bone marrow transplants are available in India. However, you must note that not every patient is eligible for this treatment. The onco-surgeon will suggest the best-suited treatment plan based on the patient’s case.
In certain cases, surgery is also to be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy to ensure a complete cure.
The cost of chemotherapy starts from 400 USD (29768 INR) per cycle.
Radiation therapy cost starts from 3300 USD (245587 INR) in India.
Stem cell transplant costs can range between 25,000 to 47,000 USD (1860511 INR to 3497761 INR) in India.
What is the survival rate of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?
5 Survival rates of diffuse B cell lymphoma are:
- 73% for localized cancer
- 73% for regional cancer
- 57% for distant cancer
5-year survival rates of follicular lymphoma are:
- 96% for regional cancer
- 90% for regional
- 85% for distant cancer
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a high 5 years survival rate. It is treatable and curable. Connect with us, If you wish to know more about the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Takeaway
Dealing with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is tough for you. The cost of treatment, side effects, and the challenging task of finding the best hospital, oncologists, and treatment options in India can be really overwhelming for you.
India offers world-class medical care at a fraction of the cost. You will also get access to top oncologists and advanced treatment options in the country.
We can make your treatment journey smooth and hassle-free with our tumor board of leading specialists. We will ensure that you get the best possible care under your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Which country has the best treatment for lymphoma?
When choosing a country for non-Hodgkin’s treatment, one should consider the following factors:
- Country must have good healthcare facilities with advanced technologies.
- Highest success rates.
- Better survival rates.
- Costs of treatment and duration of stay during treatment.
In addition to the following factors, you must consider logistical factors such as connecting flights, transportation, and safety in the chosen country.
Q2. Is lymphoma curable in India?
NHL is curable. If the patient goes into remission, they sometimes get cured of it completely.
Q3. Can you fully recover from lymphoma?
Yes, you can recover from lymphoma. You can also live a normal life once you recover. But you need to make some changes to your lifestyle to do so.
Best Hospitals for Treating Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in India
The top hospitals in India are equipped with cutting-edge technology and the latest innovation to provide the best cancer care. Here is a list of the best cancer hospitals in India which provide the best cancer treatment and surgery:
MedicoExperts is a Global virtual hospital which is established to offer quality healthcare services at affordable pricing without compromising the success rates of the treatment.
MedicoExperts is having a network of highly experienced super specialist doctors and well equipped hospitals across the globe and offering second opinion through online video consultation and surgical interventions through its empanelled super specialist doctors at its network hospitals in 17 countries from 3 continents.
By the virtue of its approach and model, MedicoExperts is successfully achieve to deliver
- Latest and most advanced treatments with success rates of international benchmarks.
- Multiple cost options depending upon the hospital facilities, with the same doctor.
- Treatment option in multiple cities/state/countries.
- Trust and peace of mind.
Most suitable for patients who are looking for:-
- Planned Surgeries and treatment from most experienced doctors and at multiple cost options as per hospital facilities with best possible outcomes.
- Second Opinion from expert doctors.
- Complex cases involving multi specialities
- International patients looking for treatment from Indian doctors
Relevant Articles For You
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/causes/
- https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/lymphoma/non-hodgkin/types
- https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/nhl-car-t-cells-belinda-transform-zuma7
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/treating/immunotherapy.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559328/#:~:text=Early%2Dstage%20(stage%20I%20or,is%20the%20mainstay%20of%20treatment.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Khushbu Jain is a dedicated professional with a passion for advancing healthcare through cutting-edge treatments. She has a special interest in researching regenerative medicine and advanced treatment for diseases that are difficult to treat with conventional treatment options. Her deep understanding of these progressive treatments allows her to offer patients personalized and effective solutions for a variety of health concerns.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
