Each year, Delhi records over 3,000 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)—a fast-progressing and aggressive form of blood cancer. Alarmingly, doctors are seeing a concerning increase in diagnoses among individuals aged 30 to 40 years, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and intervention.
Financial Barriers Limit Treatment Completion
Despite advancements in treatment, only 30% of diagnosed patients complete the full treatment cycle. Oncologists attribute this to high costs and inadequate insurance coverage. During a recent awareness programme, experts emphasized that financial constraints and late-stage diagnosis remain the biggest hurdles in improving patient outcomes.
A Silent Threat: Vague Symptoms Delay Detection
AML often presents with non-specific symptoms such as fatigue or infections, which leads to delayed diagnosis. “We lose critical time because the disease is often detected late,” said Dr Ranjit Kumar Sahoo, Additional Professor of Medical Oncology at AIIMS. “A simple blood test can detect it early, but delays in testing allow the cancer to progress rapidly.” He added that treatment is primarily available at tertiary centres, where supportive care is both essential and expensive.
Growing Secondary Cases Among Cancer Survivors
Medical professionals also noted a rise in secondary AML cases, particularly among individuals previously treated with chemotherapy or radiation for other cancers. These patients remain at higher risk of developing AML due to treatment-related mutations.
Limited Treatment Options Based on Patient Fitness
Doctors classify AML patients into two categories: fit or unfit for standard chemotherapy. Unfit patients—often the elderly or those with severe infections, organ dysfunction, or septicemia—cannot tolerate intensive treatments. On the other hand, fit patients may benefit from stem cell transplants, which are suitable for around 50% of cases.
Gaps in Standardised Care and Diagnostics
As reported by TOI, despite Delhi being home to several top-tier hospitals, diagnostic workflows for AML remain inconsistent, said Dr Dharma Chaudhary, Vice-Chairman, Haemato-Oncology and BMT at BLK Super Speciality Hospital. “We lack a standardised care model. Patient outcomes differ widely depending on the hospital, insurance coverage, and how quickly they are referred to a tertiary centre,” he stated.
Targeted Therapies Offer Promise But Remain Inaccessible
Globally, targeted therapies have improved AML remission rates and reduced treatment toxicity by focusing on specific genetic mutations. However, India has yet to fully adopt these breakthroughs. Genetic testing is largely restricted to urban private hospitals, while targeted drugs are costly and not covered under national health schemes or the Cancer Drug Registry.
High Initial Mortality Underscores Need for Early Action
Initial mortality rates in India remain high, with 15-20% of patients dying within the first 30 days of treatment. Experts attribute this to aggressive infections and drug resistance. Patients who begin treatment early, before developing infections, have significantly better outcomes.
Experts Call for National-Level Interventions
To address the existing gaps, stakeholders are calling for systemic changes in India’s cancer care approach. Recommendations include:
- Including AML in the National Cancer Control Programme
- Allocating dedicated funding for research and disease surveillance
- Building molecular and genetic testing infrastructure at government hospitals
- Encouraging public-private collaborations to improve diagnostic access and expertise
By implementing these changes, India can take a major step toward reducing AML mortality and ensuring timely, effective care for all patients—regardless of their financial background.