Rise in blood cancer cases among children in central India a cause for concern: Docs
According to data from Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, more and more children are being treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), the most common type of blood cancer found in kids.
ALL is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It affects white blood cells which normally help fight infections. In ALL, these cells grow uncontrollably and crowd out healthy blood cells.
Over the past four years, GMCH Nagpur has witnessed a significant increase in the number of patients with blood cancer.
In 2021–22, 22 children were diagnosed with ALL, and by 2024–25, that number jumped to 35.
Doctors say that in 2022–23 alone, the number of new patients went up by 82%, which is a big leap in just one year. This trend shows that more children are falling sick with this type of cancer and also that more are getting diagnosed and treated in time.
"This is a serious issue. The number of children with ALL is rising rapidly in Nagpur," said Dr Riya Ballikar, a blood cancer specialist.
"We're not exactly sure why, but the possible reasons include pollution, pesticides, infections at a young age, and maybe even family history. But what worries us the most is the diagnosis which is often late," she said, adding, the number at GMCH Nagpur is just a part of the total cases in Vidarbha. She claimed that the real figure in the community is way more.
Dr Ketan Modak, a blood cancer expert from AIIMS Nagpur, stated that Nagpur now offers numerous modern treatments that help treat blood cancer more effectively.
Monoclonal antibodies are specially designed laboratory-made proteins that target cancer cells and help the immune system destroy them. Targeted therapy means drugs that attack only the cancer cells without harming the healthy ones. However, Dr Modak warned that many children still don't have access to such care as many advancements are yet to reach Nagpur.
The expert stressed the need for more awareness campaigns, better screening at local health centres, and affordable treatment options.
Snapshot of Blood Cancer Cases in GMCH Nagpur
Year — Cases — ALL Kids — Under Treatment
'21–22 — 54 — 22 — 6
'22–23 — 84 — 30 — 18
'23–24 — 72 — 32 — 9
'24–25 — 75 — 35 — 20
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