Cancer, a dreadful disease that involves abnormal growth of cells that do not die, has been a major killing force worldwide. Cancer develops when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may make a mass of tissue, called a tumor.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to WHO, around 12 million people worldwide died from cancer in 2022. The battle against cancer has been ongoing for many decades. There have been many advancements in the field of cancer research. Many new and better cancer treatments are now available to patients. Still, the global burden of the disease continues to grow affecting individuals, families, and communities.
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer then getting the right treatment must be your top priority. Recently, countries like India have emerged as popular destinations for availing treatment for cancer as there are many advanced cancer treatments available in the country. In addition to getting timely treatment from an expert oncologist, you also need to consider the cost of your cancer treatment.
Here, we have discussed the different aspects of cancer and the cost of cancer treatment in India.
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply (through a process called cell division) to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue. Tumors can be cancerous or not cancerous (benign).
Cancerous tumors spread into, or invade, nearby tissues and can travel to distant places in the body to form new tumors (a process called metastasis). Cancerous tumors may also be called malignant tumors. Many cancers form solid tumors, but cancers of the blood, such as leukemias, generally do not.
Benign tumors do not spread into, or invade, nearby tissues. When removed, benign tumors usually don’t grow back, whereas cancerous tumors sometimes do. Benign tumors can sometimes be quite large, however. Some can cause serious symptoms or be life threatening, such as benign tumors in the brain.
Cancer cells differ from normal cells in many ways. For instance, cancer cells:
Many times, cancer cells rely so heavily on these abnormal behaviors that they can’t survive without them. Researchers have taken advantage of this fact, developing therapies that target the abnormal features of cancer cells. For example, some cancer therapies prevent blood vessels from growing toward tumors, essentially starving the tumor of needed nutrients.
Due to the advancement in medical research, there are now many advanced treatment options available for cancer. It is always best to consult with an expert oncologist who can provide you with the best cancer care. The type of treatment you will receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and the stage of your cancer. You may be given a single treatment or a combination of many, depending on your condition. You should discuss and weigh the benefits and risks associated with each treatment with your doctor to understand the best choice 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 the cancer as possible. Surgery is most commonly used for removing solid tumors that are restricted to one region of the body. Surgery in India can cost in the range of $4000-$12000.
Chemotherapy: In this type of cancer treatment, drugs are used to kill cancer cells. Since chemotherapy can also affect the growth of normal cells, it can lead to side effects. Some of the common side effects associated with chemotherapy include nausea, mouth sores, and hair fall. The cost of chemotherapy in India can be $300-$1500 per session.
Hormone therapy: This is primarily used for treating breast and prostate cancer. This therapy targets cells that use hormones to grow. By removing the hormones required for growth or preventing their effects, the cancer cells can be stopped from dividing. Hormone therapy can be administered orally or by injection. The cost of hormone therapy in India usually ranges from $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 doesn’t 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. This is also known as biological therapy. Cancer cells have the ability to evade the immune system. However, immunotherapy enables your immune system to recognize the cancer cells so that they can be eliminated. Immunotherapy in India costs $3500-$5500.
Radiation therapy: This uses high-energy beams like X-rays to destroy cancerous cells. The radiation for this form of therapy can be given externally or from within your body (brachytherapy). Radiation therapy’s cost in India is in the range of $800-$25000.
Bone Marrow Transplant: This procedure involves replacing the diseased or damaged bone marrow with stem cells that can produce healthy blood cells. It is also known as a stem cell transplant. These stem cells could be obtained from the patient’s body (autologous bone marrow transplant) or from the body of the donor (allogeneic bone marrow transplant). Bone marrow transplant is used for treating conditions like Leukemia. BMT in India can cost in the range of $13,000-$35,000.
Robotic surgery: Sometimes, robotic surgery is used to remove the patient’s cancer. This type of surgery is usually laparoscopic and performed when traditional surgery is not the best option for treating the condition. In this, the surgeon will use robotic surgical tools to perform the surgery. Robotic surgery leads to less scarring and pain. It is associated with faster recovery. Some of the cancers that can be treated with robotic surgery are colorectal and pancreatic cancer. On average, robotic surgery for cancer in India costs around $8,000.
There are over 100 different types of cancer. Cancers are frequently called after the organs or tissues in which they develop. Lung cancer for example, begins in the lungs, while brain cancer begins in the brain.Cancers can also be classified based on the type of cell that caused them, such as epithelial or squamous cells
Cancers that start in specific types of cells fall into the following categories:
Chemotherapy is a commonly used method for treating cancer. Its cost in different Indian cities includes
Lab tests: These are usually blood tests used to check the presence of tumor markers, complete blood cell count (CBC), and measure the levels of blood protein. However, these tests cannot be used alone to diagnose cancer. They can be helpful for detecting blood cancers like Leukemia and multiple myeloma.
Biopsy: A biopsy is usually recommended when the doctor suspects you of having cancer. This involves taking a small piece of tissue from the region where the cancer is suspected to be present. 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 the changes caused by medical conditions such as cancer.
MRI: An MRI can be performed to detect the presence of cancer in the body. For instance, a breast MRI is performed to obtain a detailed image of the breast tissue. This can help in evaluating the presence of tumors in the breast.
Colonoscopy: This helps your doctor to visualize the colon, a part of the digestive system. A colonoscopy can be used to detect potential health problems such as polyps or colorectal cancer.
CT scan: A computed tomography scan can help doctors in diagnosing cancer. It can also provide information about cancer’s stage.
Ultrasound: This helps the doctor in identifying the location of the tumor in the body. Doctors may also use ultrasound to perform a biopsy.
In addition to the cost of treatment you also need to consider the additional expenses associated with your treatment. These include:
The cost of cancer treatment in India is influenced by the following factors:
As compared to other countries, India offers cancer treatment at reasonable prices. The cost of treatment in India when compared to other countries has been given below:
The uncontrolled growth of cells in the body leads to the formation of tumors that can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors are noncancerous and do not spread. However, malignant tumors are cancerous. These can invade the surrounding areas and spread to other regions of the body where they form new tumors. This process is known as metastasis. Some of the most common cancers include lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer.
Doctors use a cancer staging system to determine the stage of your cancer. This helps the oncologist to understand the prognosis of your condition and identify a suitable treatment for your cancer. The different stages of cancer are:
Stage 0: There is no cancer in this stage. But, it has abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancerous. This is known as carcinoma in situ. Cancer at this stage is treatable and is usually pre-cancerous.
Stage I: In this stage, cancer hasn’t begun to spread yet and is restricted to a small region.
Stage II: The cancer is large and has spread into the nearby tissues. However, it has not spread to distant locations in the body.
Stage III: At this stage, cancer has spread to the lymph nodes but not to distant locations in the body.
Stage IV: This is also known as an advanced stage or metastatic cancer. Cancer has spread to distant locations in the body.
Usually, the symptoms of cancer will depend on the region of the body that has been affected by it. The following symptoms may be associated with cancer though not always. Thus, it is best to consult a doctor if you notice any alarming signs. Some of the general symptoms of cancer include:
Although scientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of cancer, it is believed to occur because of changes in the DNA of the cells or mutation. The information present in the DNA instructs cells when to grow and divide. However, if there are some errors or changes in these instructions then cells become cancerous. The new line of research suggests that several factors can interact to lead to cancer. These factors could be environmental, genetic, or inherent characteristics of the person.
When talking about the causes of cancer, it is also important to mention the risk factors that increase the possibility of cancer, especially in adults. Some of these risk factors are:
Factors related to lifestyle: Certain lifestyle choices such as smoking, handling toxic chemicals, or taking a high fat-diet can increase the risk of cancer in adults.
Viral exposure: Studies have indicated that exposure to viruses like HIV and Epstein-Barr virus can increase the likelihood of childhood cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This could be because of the alteration of the cells by the virus. Such alterations could make the cell cancerous.
Age and family history: Cancer can take a lot of time to develop and is therefore usually found in people who are 65 years or older. Though it is more common in older people, it is not exclusive to them and can be found in people of any age. A very small percentage of cancers are inherited. If you have a family history of cancer then you are suitable for genetic testing.
Obesity and being overweight: Studies have found a link between obesity or being overweight with cancer. It is always best to consult an expert oncologist to assess your risk of getting cancer.
Cancer can originate in any part of the body. The different types of cancers are as follows:
Prostate Cancer: This cancer starts in the prostate. Some of the symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty with urination and blood in the urine. Age is one of the most important risk factors for prostate cancer. In most cases, the doctor recommends active surveillance if prostate cancer is slow-growing. This involves monitoring cancer with the help of a prostate-specific antigen test on a regular basis.
The cost of prostate cancer treatment in India ranges from 2700-10,000 USD.
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. It originates from the cells of the breast.
Hormonal therapy can also be used for breast cancer. This basically involves blocking the hormones required by the cancerous cells to grow.
The cost of breast cancer treatment in India ranges from 3000-5000 USD.
Lung Cancer: This cancer begins in the lungs and can be of two types: non-small cell and small cell carcinoma.
The cost of lung cancer treatment in India ranges from 4800-12,000 USD.
Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer starts in the cervix and is most commonly found in individuals over 30 years of age. Early detection of cervical cancer is associated with effective treatment and improved quality of life.
The cost of cervical cancer treatment in India ranges from 2700-9000 USD.
Ovarian Cancer: This cancer starts in the ovaries and is more commonly found in women who are middle-aged or older.
The cost of ovarian cancer treatment in India ranges from 4000-12000 USD.
Brain Cancer: Brain cancer ensues when the cells in the brain begin to divide uncontrollably. The symptoms can vary depending on the location of the tumor in the brain. The treatment for brain cancer will be influenced by the location, type, and size of the tumor.
The cost of brain cancer treatment in India ranges from 4500-12000 USD.
Stomach Cancer: This is also known as gastric cancer and starts in the stomach. The prognosis of patients suffering from small stomach cancer is usually positive. In the early stages, cancer may not cause symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, patients can experience
The cost of stomach cancer treatment in India ranges from 5000-17000 USD.
Pancreatic Cancer: The abnormal division of pancreatic cells can lead to pancreatic cancer. The treatment for pancreatic cancer can be decided based on the extent of the spread of cancer.
Sometimes, combinations of these treatments can also be given. If cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, the doctor will offer palliative treatment to relieve your symptoms. This would help in ensuring that you are comfortable for as long as possible.
The cost of pancreatic cancer treatment in India ranges from 4000-18000 USD.
Blood Cancer: This cancer affects blood cells. The three most important blood cancers are Leukemia, Myeloma, and Lymphoma. These usually affect the ability of your blood cells to perform their normal function.
The cost of blood cancer treatment in India ranges from 4000-10,000 USD.
In the recent past, India has become the best destination for cancer treatment for its well-advanced hospitals equipped with the latest medical tools and technologies to treat the cancers, top quality oncologists and skilled and experienced onco surgeons and most importantly for its affordable costs. For such advantages, a large number of cancer patients specially from Arab & Africa countries travel to every year and get their treatment. Medical tourism in India is on the rise at the moment that is why there is a tremendous improvement in this sector. Apart from that, in recent times, there have been numerous successful surgeries and treatment of cancer in India. Cancer surgery and treatment can take some time and every patient can not spend lots of money for his treatment. Therefore, it is good to choose India for safe and the best cancer treatment at an affordable price.