Lung Cancer Treatment in India: Costs, Top Doctors and Hospitals

5 min readMar 4, 2020

Lung cancer is cancer when it spreads across the Lung and damages the tissues around that region. Lung Cancer can be divided into two parts: small cell and non-small cell. Lung cancer treatment is often combined with chemotherapy treatments but may also include radiation therapy and surgery if required.

Medical tourism is a growing sector in India, with tourists coming from across the globe to get various types of medical facilities. The main magnetism for medical tourists coming to India is the quality of health care, which is available at affordable prices, with no waitlist. Most of the Indian doctors are famed throughout the world for their commitment and skills. The majority of the hospitals in India are offering international facilities with cutting-edge diagnostic methods and advanced technology for all types of oncology procedures.

Lung Cancer Treatment Cost in India

The cost of lung cancer in India along with the excellence of treatment and aftercare provided are comparable with few of the most popular medical tourism destinations like Singapore, Turkey, and Hungary. Lung cancer surgery cost in India along with the chemotherapy and radiation, accommodation is almost less than one-sixth when compared with the treatment cost offered in US or UK.

Why opt for Lung Cancer Treatment in India?

The cost of Lung cancer treatments anywhere in the world is quite high, which becomes unaffordable for many individuals. The treatments offered in countries like the US, the UK, etc.are downright impressive, however, the affordability is difficult if not covered under insurance. On the contrary, lung cancer treatment in India or developing countries like such is comparatively cheaper with uncompromised medical facilities. Apart from that, the multispecialty healthcare units, world-renowned oncologists, competent radiologists, and advanced laboratory testing facilities have made India one of the best choices for cancer treatment.

What are the various approaches to Lung Cancer Treatment in India?

India offers some of the most advanced approaches to treat lung cancer. However, the types of treatments depend on the type and stage of cancer.

Radiation Therapy: Included among the primary treatments, radiation therapy is further subdivided into external and internal therapies. Where the former uses a radiation beam to penetrate, aim and destroy the malignant cells, the latter uses radioactive metals to kill the cells internally.
Chemotherapy: Over 100 different types of chemical composition, or drugs, are used to treat various types of cancers. In lung cancer treatment, the necessary drug is injected or provided in the form of pills, which when consumed destroy the malignant cells. However, the drugs also destroy normal cells that regrow after a certain period.
Targeted Therapy: Candidates are subjected to specific target chemicals or drugs which invade and destroy the abnormal cells. The therapy is very specific and is used for recurring non-small lung cancer cells or cells that are non-responsive to chemotherapy.
Photodynamic Therapy: In this technique, drugs are administered into the body to be absorbed by the cancerous cells. When exposed to high-energy laser or photons, these destroy the drug-soaked cancer cells. However, the treatment offers successful results in the initial stages only.

What is the average cost of Lung Cancer Treatment in India (based on different approaches)?

Thousands of people seek medical attention in India due to the affordable and uncompromised treatments offered. The average cost of lung cancer treatment in the major countries is approximately 5 times higher than that offered in India. However, just like the other places, the lung cancer treatment cost in India varies as per the type of treatment required by the individuals and the stage of cancer. Hence, here is a gist of probable expense according to the type of lung cancer treatment in India.

What are the factors affecting the cost of Lung Cancer Treatment in India?

In general, there are two broad types of lung cancers: small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, which are further subdivided as per the position, extent, and type of malignancy displayed. This becomes an important factor which affects lung cancer treatment cost in India.

Apart from that, the expenditure is also dependent on the type of treatment required by the candidate and the stage at which it is diagnosed. Besides, in extreme cases, metastasis may occur even in the brain cells which complicates the condition to a great extent, thereby requiring additional treatments and expense.

The other factors include laboratory tests, radiation required, oncologists and surgeons necessary, hospitals opted and the tenure of stay in the country.

Which are the best hospitals for lung cancer treatment in India?

Before opting for medical travel in such cases, people are always on the lookout for the best hospital for lung cancer treatment in India. There are several hospitals and private nursing homes which offer treatment in the country. Located in major cities, hospitals are easily accessible and are also affordable. Thus, here are some of the best hospitals for lung cancer treatment in India:

American Oncology Institute, Hyderabad
VPS Lakeshore, Cochin
HCG Hospital, Bangalore
Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai

Who are the top lung cancer specialists in India?

Indian oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons are found in almost all the major countries, showing promising results and high success rates. This is also an indirect reason, why many people seek lung cancer treatment in India. Paired with advanced and improved technology in the field, the specialists are now capable of producing high success records every year. The oncologists are furnished with incomparable knowledge, the ability of quick thinking, and decades of experience which makes them the best on a global scale.

What is the success rate of lung cancer treatment in India?

With the introduction of modern technology, lung cancer treatment in India has witnessed the sun above the horizon. The success rates of both 5-year and 10-year survival have increased manifolds, thereby standing on-line with the major countries in the world. A research study in 2013 shows that the success rates for both former and latter are approximately 55.6% and 80% respectively. However, the record of success rate over the last decade shows an increase of approximately 17.8% for the former.

Originally published at https://medigence.com.