Cancer is one of the top causes of death in the world, and chemotherapy is a proven and effective medical treatment to treat cancer. It is a treatment where your healthcare provider will inject powerful chemicals into your bloodstream and these chemicals will destroy the cancerous cells in your body. Take a look at this article to know what is the cost of chemotherapy in India.
According to Practo, the average cost of a chemotherapy session is approximately INR 18,000. The maximum cost per session can be around INR 50,000. However, costs can vary significantly based on factors such as the type of cancer, the severity of the condition, the specific treatment plan, and more.
The following table will give you a better idea about the cost of chemotherapy in India.
| Cost Category | Cost in INR |
| Chemotherapy cost in government hospitals | Up to INR 6,50,000 |
| Oral chemotherapy cost | INR 1,00,000 - INR 25,00,000 |
| Cost of chemotherapy for breast cancer | INR 1,60,000 – INR 27,50,000 |
| Cost of pre-procedure tests (blood test, X-ray, CT scan, PET CT, biopsy) | INR 15,000 – INR 40,000 |
| Cost of medications and their combinations | INR 10,000 – INR 1,00,000 |
| Chemotherapy injection cost | INR 18,000 – INR 25,000 |
| Cost of blood work to evaluate chemotherapy progress and effectiveness | INR 4,000 – INR 5,000 |
| Fee for follow-up consultation (per session) | INR 600 |
| Daycare costs (hospital stay for 2 to 5 days) | INR 3,000 |
The following factors affect the cost of chemotherapy in India —
Chemotherapy drugs, especially branded ones, tend to be quite expensive. While generic alternatives are generally more affordable, they may not be available for all chemotherapy treatments.
Chemotherapy treatment may involve routine diagnostic tests, such as blood work, X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans. Doctors prescribe these tests to monitor the patient’s progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Some of these tests are expensive, leading to a significant increase in the overall cost of chemotherapy.
While chemotherapy treatment does not always require hospitalisation, patients will still have to pay various charges. These include infusion charges, consultation fees, facility fees, nursing charges, and more. All these factors contribute to the overall costs of chemotherapy. Moreover, private hospitals are more expensive than government ones.
The duration and frequency of chemotherapy significantly impact the overall cost. Some patients may require shorter treatment durations, while others need longer regimens. Generally, longer durations result in higher costs. Similarly, more frequent sessions will add up to the expenses.
You may have to pay additional for the following:
• Certain Lab tests like ECG, blood tests, scans, X-rays, etc., to assess if you are fit enough to start chemo.
• Post-chemo care to manage the side-effects experienced.
• After-treatment tests which includes blood tests, scans, MRIs, etc., to see how your body is responding to the treatment.
• Other services like transportation charges, homecare services, hospital room costs, etc., can also affect your treatment costs.
Chemo will cost you much less in India than in the US. The cost range in India is between USD 55 to USD 800 (INR 4,500 to INR 60,000) per session while in the US the price range is from USD 20,000 to USD 50,000. Multiple factors affect the cost, and you can speak to your doctor to tailor a treatment plan that is both effective and affordable.
One of the important components of our overall wellness is also being financially secured. Healthcare emergencies can happen any time, but a good health insurance policy can protect you from such uncertain situations. To know more about Wellness and other health related tips, visit the Wellness Corner
Source: careinsurance, practo, impactguru, cancerrounds, who.int, wcrf.org
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.
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