What is the cost of treatment of cancer

In human body, old and damaged cells are replaced by new. When the growth of cells goes out of control, it forms masses called tumours. This disease of uncontrolled growth of cells is called cancer, and the tumours can either be benign or malignant. While the benign tumour is restricted to one place, the malignant one spreads to other parts of the body.

Globally, cancer is the leading cause of death, accounting for 10 million, or one in six, deaths in 2020, according to WHO. In India, too, cancer is the leading cause of death, with 7.84 lakh deaths recorded in 2018, and 13.92 lakh cases reported in 2020.

In India, the most common types of cancer are breast, cervical, oral and lung cancer. “Among women, the most prevalent cancers are breast, cervix and gall bladder cancer, while among males, it’s the lung, and head and neck cancer,” says Dr Rajat Saha, Associate Director, Department of Medical Oncology, Max Superspeciality Hospital, Patparganj & Vaishali, Delhi.

Depending on how far the disease has progressed, cancer can be graded into stages 0-4, based on the location, size and spread of tumour. The course of treatment is decided by these stages, and if detected early, it is treatable, with higher chances of survival, and lower cost of treatment. Cancer can be detected early through regular screening, especially if there is a history of disease in the family.

Costs

As the cost break-up shows, cancer is an expensive illness to manage. Besides, screening for early detection, diagnostics and treatment, it involves posttreatment care and rehabilitation.

Doctor’s consultation fee

• General physician: Rs 500-1,000
• Oncologist: Rs 800-3,000

Diagnostic tests

Screening: This involves conducting tests regularly to look for cancer before any signs or symptoms appear. These include a wide range for different body parts, such as mammography (breast), Pap test (cervical), colonoscopy (colorectal), dermoscopy (skin), PSA (prostatespecifi c antigen) test (prostate), among others.

• Mammography: Rs 1,000-4,000
• Pap test: Rs 500-2,500
• Colonoscopy: Rs 500-2,500
• PSA test: Rs 500-1,000

Biopsy: If screening has not already revealed the cancer, biopsy is conducted, which essentially involves taking a tissue sample to test it for the presence of cancerous cells. The cost depends on the type of cancer and the complexity of biopsy conducted.

• Rs 2,000-4,000 (simple)
• Rs 8,000-10,000 (complex)
• Imaging: For further investigation, radiology scans are conducted.
• Ultrasound: Rs 500
• CT Scan: Rs 1,000-15,000 (depending on body part)
• PET CT Scan: Rs 5,000-25,000
• MRI: Rs 5,000-12,000

Fitness/blood test: To fi nd out about the fi tness and strength of the body, blood tests are conducted.

Rs 1,000-3,000

Treatment costs

Depending on the stage of cancer, it can be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted/immunotherapy, either individually or in combination. For instance, a benign or stage 0-1 cancer can be treated by surgery, while more advanced stages may require radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. “Every type of cancer has a different sequence of treatment,” says Dr Saha.

• Surgery: Depending on the affected body part, the surgery can range from Rs 1 lakh to several lakhs.
• Breast cancer: Rs 1-1.5 lakh
• Abdominal (pancreas, colon) cancer: Rs 3-4 lakh
• Head and neck cancer: Rs 5-6 lakh

Radiation therapy: This technique uses radiation, that is, high-energy X-rays or other particles, to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours. The cost varies depending on the technique used, frequency, stage of cancer, size of tumour, location and age of patient. It may require 5 times a week for 5-9 weeks.

• Cost per session: Rs 50,000-2.25 lakh
• Total average cost: Rs 2.5 lakh-22 lakh

Chemotherapy: This is a drug treatment that uses strong chemicals to kill cancer cells. Unlike radiation which works in specific parts, chemotherapy can be used in the entire body. It is carried out in 6-10 cycles, which means each cycle will have several sessions after which there is a period of rest. The number of cycles are decided by the stage and severity of cancer. The cost depends on the type and stage of cancer, the manner of administering drugs, hospital where treatment is carried out, among others.

• Cost per cycle: Up to Rs 80,000
• Total average cost (10 cycles): Rs 8 lakh

Targeted/Immuno therapy: This is again a drug treatment and the most advanced form of therapy, typically used in advanced stages of cancer. It involves the use of high-cost molecules that are not made in India, targeting specifi c genes, proteins or tissues. This is again administered in cycles, with the number of cycles decided by the stage and severity of cancer and can range from 6-12 cycles, or even more if it is the last stage of cancer.

• Cost per cycle: Rs 50,000-5 lakh
• Total average cost (10 cycles): Rs 5-50 lakh

Post-treatment costs

After the active treatment, medical care and check-ups continue for at least 3-5 years. This includes medication, periodic investigative imaging, and rehabilitation, which comprises physiotherapy and reconstructive surgery in case of amputations or head and neck cancer.

Follow-up checks: This includes doctor and hospital visits, and periodic imaging like ultrasound, CT scans and MRI.

Chronic maintenance medication: This is given after the therapies or surgeries to reduce the chance of cancer coming back.

Rehabilitation: This can include physiotherapy for 2-3 months and surgery, be it reconstructive or plastic surgery, after breast removal or limb amputation, etc.

• Physiotherapy: Rs 10,000- 15,000 a month
• Surgery: Rs 50,000-5 lakh

All costs are for Delhi, are indicative and may vary for different hospitals/clinics and labs.