Cancer Treatment Cost in India

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to WHO, around 10 million people died of cancer worldwide in 2020.

The fight against cancer has been going on for many decades. Many advances have been made in the field of cancer research. Many new and improved cancer treatments are now available to patients. Nevertheless, the global burden of disease continues to grow, affecting individuals, families, and communities.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, getting the right treatment should be your top priority. Recently, countries like India have emerged as popular destinations for cancer treatment as there are many advanced cancer treatments available in the country. Apart from getting timely treatment from an expert oncologist, you also need to consider the cost of your cancer treatment.

Stages of Cancer

Doctors use cancer staging systems to determine the stage of your cancer. This helps the oncologist understand the prognosis of your condition and identify the appropriate treatment for your cancer. The different stages of cancer are:

Stage 0: There is no cancer in this stage. But, it contains abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancer. This is known as carcinoma in situ. Cancer at this stage is treatable and is usually pre-cancerous.

Stage I: In this stage, cancer has not yet started to spread and is confined to a small area.

Stage II: The cancer is large and has spread to nearby tissues. However, it has not spread to distant sites in the body.

Stage III: In this stage, cancer has spread to the lymph nodes but not to distant sites in the body.

Stage IV: This is also known as an advanced stage or metastatic cancer. Cancer has spread to distant places in the body.

Best Treatment Options for Cancer

Due to advances in medical research, there are now many advanced treatment options available for cancer. It is always best to consult an expert oncologist who can provide you with the best cancer care. The type of treatment you get will depend on the type of cancer you have and the stage of your cancer. You may be offered one treatment or a combination of several, depending on your condition. You should discuss the benefits and risks associated with each treatment with your doctor to understand the best option for your health.

Some of the most common treatments used for cancer are:

Surgery: A surgical oncologist performs an operation to remove as much of cancer as possible. Surgery is most commonly used to remove solid tumors confined to one area of the body. The surgery cost in India can range between $4000-$12000.

Chemotherapy: In the treatment of this type of cancer, drugs are used to kill cancer cells. Since chemotherapy can also affect the growth of normal cells, it can cause side effects. Some common side effects associated with chemotherapy include nausea, mouth sores, and hair loss. The cost of chemotherapy in India can range from $300-$1500 per session.

Hormone therapy: This is mainly used to treat breast and prostate cancer. This therapy targets cells that use hormones to grow. Cancer cells can be stopped from dividing by removing or inhibiting the effects of hormones needed for growth. Hormone therapy can be administered orally or by injection. The cost of hormone therapy in India usually ranges between $4000-$5000.

Targeted therapy: In this therapy, drugs that target the unique characteristics of cancer cells are used to stop them from growing. This treatment approach does not harm normal cells. The cost of targeted therapy in India is in the range of $2700-$3500.

Immunotherapy: In immunotherapy, the body's own immune system is used to kill cancer cells. It is also known as biological therapy. Cancer cells have the ability to evade the immune system. However, immunotherapy enables your immune system to recognize cancer cells so that they can be eliminated. The cost of immunotherapy in India is $5000-$6000.

Radiation therapy: This uses high-energy beams such as X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiation for this type of therapy can be given externally or from inside your body (brachytherapy). The cost of radiation therapy in India is in the range of $800-$25000.

Medical Test Required for Cancer in India

Laboratory tests: These are usually blood tests that are used to check for the presence of tumor markers, complete blood cell count (CBC), and measure blood protein levels. However, these tests alone cannot be used to diagnose cancer. They can be helpful in detecting blood cancers such as leukemia and multiple myeloma.

Biopsy: A biopsy is usually recommended when the doctor suspects that you have cancer. This involves taking a small piece of tissue from an area where cancer is suspected. The sample is then sent to a laboratory and analyzed by a pathologist for the presence of cancer cells. A biopsy helps in the diagnosis of cancer.

X-ray test: This is an imaging test that can help doctors visualize changes caused by medical conditions such as cancer.

MRI: MRI can be done to detect the presence of cancer in the body. For example, a breast MRI is performed to obtain a detailed image of breast tissue. This can help to evaluate the presence of tumors in the breast.

Colonoscopy: This helps your doctor see the colon, a part of the digestive tract. A colonoscopy can be used to detect possible health problems such as polyps or colorectal cancer.

CT scan: A computed tomography scan can help doctors diagnose cancer. It can also provide information about the stage of cancer.

Ultrasound: This helps the doctor to identify the location of the tumor in the body. Doctors may also use ultrasound to perform the biopsy.