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Treatment Cost

Chemotherapy

  • Chemotherapy cost in India ranges from 650-1100 USD per cycle. The cost depends on chemotherapy drugs, stage of cancer and other factors. 
  • Chemotherapy treatment is an out-patient treatment and lasts for a half-hour to two hours. The oncologist will provide an estimate of time involved.
  • Usually, a standard of 6 cycles of chemotherapy are advised, but it may vary depending on the staging of the disease. In some cases, it may require two cycles of chemotherapy depending on the stage of cancer. 
  • There are a series of tests, including Blood Tests, X-rays, Physical Examination, HIV and Hepatitis tests and tests to check lungs, heart, liver and kidneys,  scans such as PET Scan etc.

Treatment Cost

Chemotherapy Price
USD 1,100
( 81,994 Indian Rupee )
No. of Travellers
2
Days in Hospital
1
Days Outside Hospital
15
Total days in India
16

More About Treatment

Diagnosis for Chemotherapy
  • Chemotherapy can be used as the primary treatment for cancer. It kills cancer cells that may cause critical illness, breast cancer, blood cancer, lung cancer, etc.
  • Adjuvant Therapy- Chemotherapy can be used after other treatments, such as surgery, to kill any cancer cells that might remain in the body.
  • Neo-Adjuvant Therapy- Chemotherapy can be given before surgery or radiation to shrink a tumor so that other treatments are possible.
  • For Palliation-to relieve symptoms of cancer by killing some of the cancer cells in incurable cases.
  • Chemotherapy is often used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant.
  • Immune System Disorders-Lower doses of chemotherapy drugs can help control an overactive immune system. Eg: in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Helpful: How tomanage the costs of cancer treatment?

Procedure
Before Procedure
  • Blood tests and scans are performed to check kidney and liver, heart function to determine whether your body is capable to start chemotherapy.
  • Treating any existing infections to reduce the risk of complications during chemotherapy treatment, since some chemotherapy may reduce your body's ability to fight infections.
  • The doctor will Advice you to plan for long-term side-effects example if your chemotherapy treatment will cause infertility, you may wish to consider your options for preserving your sperm or eggs for future use.
  • Important to make arrangements at home and office as it given in the outpatient clinic and you can continue doing usual activities.
During Procedure

Chemotherapy drugs can be given in different ways:

  • Chemotherapy infusions-a device is surgically inserted for intravenous chemotherapy- The catheter, port or pumpis surgically implanted into a large vein, usually in your chest. Chemotherapy drugs can be given through the device.
  • Chemotherapy pills
  • Chemotherapy injections
  • Chemotherapy creams especially in cases of skin cancer
  • Chemotherapy drugs can be given directly to one area of the body. Example intra-peritoneal chemotherapy drugs can be given directly in the abdomen, into thechest cavity (intrapleural chemotherapy) etc.

You may have breaks between treatments so that your body has a chance to build new healthy cells.

After Effects of Chemotherapy

Following are someside-effects of chemotherapy drugs:

  • Nausea, Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Hair loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Mouth sores
  • Pain
  • Constipation
  • Easy bruising
  • Infertility
  • Kidney problems
  • Nerve damage
  • Heart problems

Many of the side effects can be prevented or treated. Most side effects subside after treatment ends.

Recommended:How tokeep cancer from returning?

Factors Affecting Chemotherapy Cost in India

Chemotherapy Cost in Indiadepends on a variety of factors like:

  • The hospital, the patient chooses
  • The cost of chemotherapy depends on the drugs given, stage of cancer, number of cycles and administering type, etc.
  • Fee for the team of specialists
  • Standard test and diagnostic procedures
  • Cost of the follow– up care required after chemotherapy

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology Bangalore, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai, Regional Cancer Centers in New Delhi, Apollo Hospitals Chennai are some of the best cancer centers in India that provide free treatment including cancer treatment, chemotherapy treatment to middle-class people and those who can't afford it.

FAQs


Q: Are there lots of side effects of Chemotherapy?
A: It depends on the type and amount of chemotherapy you get and how your body reacts.You may have a lot of side effects, someor none at all.

Q: What are the most common side effects of Chemotherapy?
A: Common side effects are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, painand hair loss.

Q: What is the average cost of chemotherapy in India's cosmopolitan cities?
A: In large cities of India, the price is low. Such as in Mumbai the cost of chemotherapy ranges from 650-1100 USD per cycle. The overall treatment cost depends on the drugs, number of travelers, cycles of chemotherapy advised stage of cancer and other factors.

Q: Are the side-effects of Chemotherapy treatment permanent?
A: Most of the after-effects are temporary and gradually go as healthy cells usually recover after chemotherapy but some long term effects like on fertility, heart , kidneys may be permanent.

Q: What is the role of a medical oncologist in chemotherapy treatment?
A: A medical oncologist provides medical care to cancer patients. They treat cancer using chemotherapy or other medications such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy. There are some regional cancer care centers and best cancer hospitals that offer affordable chemotherapy treatment plans to treat bone marrow transplant, and other types of cancer.

Q: Whencan be the Chemotherapy schedule?
A: Chemotherapy may be given alone or with other treatments. It may begiven every weekor every month. Your treatment plan will depend on the cancer type, the chemotherapy drugs used, the treatment goal, and how your body responds.

Q: What are the ways of administering Chemotherapy?
A: There are different ways ofadministering the drugs example by mouth, in a shot, as a creamor intravenously (by IV) etc.,the doctor may decide which is best suitable for you.

Q: What is a pump?
A: It is a device that controls the amount and the speed of chemotherapy drugs being administered.

Q: What is a port?
A: It is a small disc placed under your skin,that connects to a large vein, usually in your chest through a cathter,it isused to administer chemotherapy drugs or draw blood.

Q: What is Chemotherapy induced pain?
A: Chemotherapyinduced pain- is a form of nerve pain, causing peripheral neuropathy or numbness and tingling of hands, feet or any extremity of the body.

Q: What is the advantage of Chemotherapy over surgery and Radiotherapy?
A: Surgery and radiation therapy remove, kill, or damage cancer cells in a certain area, butchemotherapy can work throughout the whole body.

Q: How much does it cost for Chemotherapy?
A:Expenses differ depending on the drugs, the stage of cancer and other factors specific to each patient.

Q: What is the worst stage of cancer?
A: Stage 3 usually means the cancerhas started to spread into surrounding tissues and there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes in the area. Stage 4 metastatic cancer means the cancer has spread from where it started to another organ.

Q: How long do you require Chemotherapy?
A: It depends on:

  • The type and grade of cancer
  • The goal of treatment: cure, control growth palliate
  • The type of chemotherapy
  • The way body responds to the treatment

Q: Why is Chemotherapy usually givenin cycles?
A: Most chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles. Chemotherapy in “cycles”means a period of treatment followed by aperiod of rest. Example3-week cycle may be 1 week of treatment and then 2 weeks of rest. The rest allows your body to make new healthy cells.

Q: How long is a round of Chemotherapy?
A: The length of a cycle depends on the treatment being given. Mostcycles range from 2 to 6 weeks.

Q: Can cancer be completely cured?
A: Depends on the stage and type of cancer, most chronic cancers cannot be cured, but some can be controlled or go in remission for months or years.

Q: What doesfive-year survival rate signify in cancer treatment?
A:Five-year survival rate denotes life expectancy, this doesn't mean that survivors only live five more years, but signifies that the study followed participants for that time period.

Q: Are cancer treatments covered by insurance?
A: Health insurance does cover some costs of cancer care. However, one plan does not cover all kinds of costs and cancer insurance. One has to avail other types of insurance to cover additional expenses such as long-term care insurance, disability insurance, supplemental insurance, etc.