Affordable Radiation Therapy: Low-Cost Treatment Options in India
Cancer is a deadly disease, and it needs strong medical intervention to kill it. Today, treatments are seeing leaps and bounds every day, with chemotherapy and radiation therapy leading the pathway. To say the least, radiation therapy is a crucial treatment modality in oncology. What it does is it employs ionizing radiation to manage and eradicate cancer cells. In India, radiation therapy has become an integral part of cancer treatment. Today, advanced techniques and state-of-the-art facilities are available across the country. This article delves into the types of radiation therapy, radiation therapy cost in india as involved, and the factors influencing these costs in India.
Table Of Content :
- What is Radiation Therapy, and What are the Types?
- Average radiation therapy cost in india
- Factors Influencing Radiation Therapy Cost
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is Radiation Therapy, and What are the Types?
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation to destroy or damage cancer cells. By doing so, tumors are controlled or eliminated. This treatment can be utilized alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy to treat various cancers. Radiation therapy is also occasionally used for non-cancerous conditions. For instance, thyroid disorders and blood disorders. Now, two types of radiation therapies are used in India. Here are the two types summarized below:
Read More : Understanding Radiation Therapy: What It Is and How It Works
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
This method directs radiation from outside the body onto the tumor. Types of EBRT include:
- Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT)
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
- Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (e.g., Gamma Knife)
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
In this approach, radioactive materials are placed inside or near the tumor. It is often used for cancers of the prostate, cervix, and breast.
However, one should keep in mind that the choice of therapy depends on various factors, such as the type and stage of cancer. Tumor size and location, patient’s age, and overall health also influence the choice of therapy that needs to be used.
Average radiation therapy cost in india
The radiation therapy cost in india varies widely depending on the type of treatment and the facility. Here is a breakdown of the costs:
- Minimum Cost: Rs 4,75,000
- Average Cost: Rs 11,00,000
- Maximum Cost: Rs 22,00,000
These costs cover the entire treatment process, including pre-procedure diagnostics, radiation sessions, and follow-up consultations.
Here is a table that you can look at to understand radiation therapy cost in india as there in different cities within India.
City |
Cost |
Bangalore |
Rs 5,00,000 - Rs 20,00,000 |
Delhi |
Rs 5,25,000 - Rs 21,00,000 |
Mumbai |
Rs 5,50,000 - Rs 22,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
Rs 5,00,000 - Rs 20,00,000 |
Chennai |
Rs 4,75,000 - Rs 19,00,000 |
Read More : Chemotherapy vs. Radiation Therapy: Key Differences and Uses
Factors Influencing Radiation Therapy Cost
The overall radiation therapy cost in india can be influenced by a variety of factors, each contributing to the total expense of treatment:
Admission Fee
This includes the initial charges for hospital admission, which can vary significantly between institutions. These would significantly raise the radiation therapy cost per session in india.
Oncologist Fee
Fees for the consulting oncologist, which depend on the specialist’s expertise and reputation would be another factor that determines radiation therapy cost per session in india. However, at Oncare Cancer, the oncologists charge a minimal fee so that everyone can avail of advanced treatments.
Patient’s Age
Older patients may require additional care and support. Therefore it would be increasing the overall treatment cost or radiation therapy cost in india for them.
Treatment Area
The size and complexity of the area being treated can affect the cost. For instance, larger or more intricate areas may require more extensive treatment. That would mean higher costs.
Medical Condition
Patients with pre-existing medical conditions may face complications. This can necessitate additional medical care and raising costs.
Type of Radiation Therapy
Advanced techniques such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) are more sophisticated and therefore more expensive compared to conventional methods.
Post-Procedure Complications
Any complications that arise post-procedure may require further medical interventions, increasing the overall cost.
Hospital Type
Treatment costs vary between private hospitals, which are generally more expensive, and government hospitals. But at Oncare Cancer, we ensure reasonable treatment costs so that all can access our high-end services and survive.
Room Type
The type of hospital room chosen (e.g., private, semi-private, or general ward) can significantly impact the cost.
Additional Tests
Pre- and post-treatment tests such as X-rays, ECGs, CT scans, and blood tests also add to the total cost of radiation therapy.
Conclusion
To sum it up, radiation therapy is a procedure that is pertinent in the treatment of cancer. The cost factor is also significant but varies depending on several factors. Even the type of radiation therapy used plays a significant role in determining the cost of radiation therapy in India, However, to give an average, it would be wise to take Rs 10,00,000 as an average amount for radiotherapy price in india.
If you’re looking for a reliable center to undergo radiation therapy at affordable rates, visit Oncare Cancer. Here, you can consult the best cancer specialists and get effective therapies with long-lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are a lot of factors that can influence radiation therapy cost per session in india. Firstly, the cost can vary from state to state. For example, metropolitan states may charge more than tier-3 cities. It would also differ in terms of facilities and medical centers. This means premium facilities can charge more. Now, regarding the other factor, the cost would also vary according to the patient's needs. If the doctor prescribes frequent radiation therapy, the cost would be significantly higher. This also has to do with the cancer stage the person is in.
Yes, to explain briefly, there are two types of radiation therapy available in India. One is Internal Beam Radiation Therapy, and the other is External Beam Radiation Therapy. The price would vary with the type of radiation therapy performed on the patient as each of these therapies is targeted towards different types of cancer. The machine used would also be different in each case, and that would have a significant influence on the radiotherapy price in india.
Yes, the location has a definite say on the cost of radiotherapy in india. For instance, packages in Chennai start from Rs 4,75,000 while the ones in Mumbai start from Rs 5,50,000. This has got to do with the demand of the centres and facilities and advantages provided by higher-priced cities. So, it is good to have a general idea about the cost of radiation therapy in different states of India.
While the cost of radiotherapy in india is different for each medical center, the average cost would still be around Rs 5,00,000 to Rs 20,00,000. Taking this into consideration, we would say that Rs 10,00,000 can be thought of as the average amount that is needed for radiation therapy procedures in India.