Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India depends on the type of treatment required, your medical condition, facility and the city where you choose to get the treatment done. You may need either surgery or chemotherapy, or may need both; or a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The cost would thus change accordingly.
Typical costs for Breast Cancer Treatment in India looks like:
| Procedure | Cost (Range in US $) |
|---|---|
| Investigations | 500-1000 |
| Chemotherapy | 500-2000 per cycle |
| Radiotherapy | 3500-5500 |
| Lumpectomy | 3000 |
| Radical Mastectomy | 5500 |
| Total Mastectomy | 6500 |
The cost quoted above is indicative and should not be taken as the final cost of the surgery. The final cost can be ascertained after the surgeon has evaluated the patient. The cost in Indian Rupees can vary based on exchange rate.
Factors that affect Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India:
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Oncologist’s Fees
An important expense when it comes to your breast cancer treatment in India is going to be your oncologist’s fees. IndiCure recommends highly experienced, skilled, board-certified surgeons who are capable of delivering successful surgeries. Although the charges may vary depending on the experience of the surgeon, you can be assured that you are in safe and skilled hands when you choose cancer treatment in India with IndiCure.
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Type of Treatment
Many times, the best option might include more than one type of treatment. Surgery, alone or with other treatments, is used to treat most breast cancers. The cost associated with each type of treatment is different. IndiCure recommends you to understand the options by consulting our expert oncologists.
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Number of Chemotherapy and Radiation Cycles
The overall breast cancer treatment cost depends on the number of chemotherapy or radiation therapy cycles that a patient has to undergo. In some patients, the doctors might advise giving more than a couple of cycles of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill the cancerous cells.
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Surgical Facility
Having your treatment for breast cancer in an accredited surgical facility by skilled and qualified medical staff is a critical factor. Moreover, the geographical location of this facility in India also affects the quote. But, IndiCure provides you with a projected estimate that will be all inclusive and affordable.
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Pre and Post Treatment Expenses
The pre-surgical/treatment expenses are associated with the stage of the cancer and medical condition of the patient and thus the number and type of investigations and treatment required. Post-treatment expenses may include prescription medications and follow-up consultations.
We at IndiCure, understand that you travel with a budget in mind and do not like to be greeted by surprises after arrival in India. We thus club all these expenses and give you the package cost that is inclusive and affordable at the same time.
Your case manager shall give you an estimated cost of your surgery after discussing your medical reports with the surgeon. The final cost, however, shall be confirmed after your consultation with the surgeon.
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Best Oncologists in India
Dr. Bhawna Sirohi
Dr. Bhawna Sirohi is a renowned Medical Oncologist with more than 25 years of experience. She is a well-known senior consultant who specializes in treating Breast Oncology and Gastrointestinal Cancers all over the world.
Dr. K S Gopinath
Dr. Gopinath is an expert in the surgical treatment of breast cancer, head and neck cancers, and Breast cancers. He has conducted considerable research in oncology, with a focus on head and neck surgery, a comparison of laparoscopic and conventional surgical approaches, rectum cancer, and the impact of yoga on cancer.
Dr. Prof Suresh H. Advani
Dr. Suresh H. Advani has more than 43 years of expertise as a physician, pediatric, and hemato-oncologist. He has received India’s highest civilian accolades, the Padma Bhushan Award in 2012 and the Padma Shri Award in 2002, from the Indian government. He has also received the Dhanvantari Award in 2002, the Medical Council of India’s Dr. B. C. Roy National Award in 2005.
Best Cancer Hospitals in India
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre
Chennai
The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) is South Asia’s and the Middle East’s first and only proton therapy centre, as well as India’s first JCI-accredited cancer hospital. The APCC includes a completely integrated treatment suite that provides the most advanced surgical, radiation, and medical procedures available. The Centre brings together a remarkable team of clinicians renowned globally in cancer care, in keeping with the Apollo Pillars of Expertise and Excellence.
HCG Hospital
Bangalore
HCG- HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd, is the specialized chain of hospitals in cancer care headquartered in Bangalore. Founded by Dr. Ajaikumar, a renowned medical and radiation oncologist with 40 years of experience, HCG has 26 centres across India with its largest facility in Bangalore.
HCG Hospital Bangalore is not only the most advanced facility for cancer care in India, it is a Centre of Excellence for most advanced cancer care and research.
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What is Breast Cancer Treatment ?
Breast cancer is the most leading and life threatening cancer originating in breast tissue that affects most women worldwide. It is the principal cause of mortality in women across the world. Breast cancer in its early stage is very difficult to diagnose as it does not cause any symptoms and usually the pain and discomfort in the breast is absent. Any of the following changes in the breast may indicate the risk of presence of breast cancer:
- Changes in the skin over the breast or skin dimpling
- Change in size and shape of the breast
- Lump in the breast or axilla
- Nipple abnormalities like nipple inversion and skin changes
- Blood stained single duct discharge
Breast cancer like other cancers can spread and invade the adjacent breast and it also has a tendency to spread and grow in other different parts of the body through metastasis. Breast cancer is considered as the second leading cause of death in women in their 30s and 50s.
What are the Stages of Breast Cancer?
Stage 0: The disease is localized to milk ducts.
Stage 1: Cancer is less than 2 inches in size and is not spread anywhere with no involvement of lymph nodes
Stage 2: Cancer is:
- Less than 2 cm and spread to the axillary lymph nodes
- Between 2-5 cm with or without spreading to lymph node
- Larger than 5 cm and has not spread to axillary lymph nodes
Stage 3: Cancer at this stage is called locally advanced breast cancer. Tumor is of any size and has spread to lymph nodes (stage 3A), spread to skin, chest wall or internal mammary lymph nodes that are located beneath the breast (stage 3B)
Stage 4: Cancer is defined as a tumor irrespective of size that has spread to other areas away from the breast like bones, liver, lungs or brain.
What causes Breast Cancer?
Following are the risk factors that can develop breast cancer in women:
- Age- more common in females over 50 years of age
- Family history of cancer of ovaries
- Any family history of having disease before menopause in the patient’s mother or sibling.
- Women who did not bear child or who have delivered first baby after the age of 30
- Menses started at a young age before 12 years.
- Attaining menopause after 55 years increase the risk
- Smoking, alcohol consumption
- Dense breast tissue
- Obesity
- Intake of OCP’s
- HRT
- Radiation treatment to chest before the age of 30
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
The treatment for breast cancer is usually recommended after analyzing some key factors like the size and site of tumor, the extent to which it is spread, lab investigation results, stage of the breast cancer and the generalized health and age of the patient.
Treatment options for breast cancer includes:
- Surgical intervention: Breast cancer can be treated by surgery using two approaches depending on the extent and stage of cancer.
- Breast conserving surgery: The main goal of breast conserving surgery is to save as much breast tissue as possible by removing only the part of the tissue containing cancer. Women might need radiation therapy or chemotherapy after this surgery. This surgery includes :
- Partial mastectomy
- Lumpectomy/ quadrantectomy
- Breast removal surgery: Breast removal surgery aims at removing the entire breast, and is medically called mastectomy. Breast removal is often followed by the reconstruction surgery to restore the normal appearance of the breast. However, reconstruction surgery is subjective. Mastectomy can be performed using following methods;
- Simple mastectomy: entire breast is removed sparing the axillary lymph nodes and tissue/ muscle underneath the breast. It is the most common type of surgery used to treat breast cancer.
- Skin sparing mastectomy: skin sparing mastectomy is done in females who choose to get reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. In this procedure, the breast tissue is removed keeping the skin over the breast and the nipples intact.
- Radical mastectomy: this is an extensive procedure characterized by removal of the entire breast with the axillary lymph nodes and pectoral muscle of the chest present under the breast.
- Modified radical mastectomy: this is less extensive commonly performed surgery in which the breast is removed along with the axillary lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are removed using :
- Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in which around 10-20 lymph nodes are removed from the axilla and are checked for cancer spread.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) only removes the first few lymph nodes up to which the cancer is most likely spread.
- Breast conserving surgery: The main goal of breast conserving surgery is to save as much breast tissue as possible by removing only the part of the tissue containing cancer. Women might need radiation therapy or chemotherapy after this surgery. This surgery includes :
- Radiation therapy: It is often needed after breast conservation surgery like partial mastectomy and lumpectomy in which radiations are used to destroy the cancerous cell in the breast and occasionally in the axilla and chest wall under the breast.
- Chemotherapy: Unlike radiation therapy, in this the medication given by injections are used to kill the cancer cells. This therapy has side effects like hair loss, nausea, vomiting and sometimes infection as along with the cancer cells this can affect the normal healthy cells too.
- Medication therapy: This includes:
- Hormone therapy: Mostly used for postmenopausal women in which cancer cells which have oestrogen receptors are targeted and their growth is stopped using the oestrogen blocking medication like tamoxifen. It is usually done to enhance the chances of recovery and to allow the surgery to take place with success.
- Biological therapy: This is given by injections which inhibit the growth of cancer cells and assist to kill those cells.
When is Breast Cancer Treatment required?
If you have been suffering from above mentioned symptoms, and if the reports of your laboratory tests are indicating the signs of breast cancer or if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, then you should undergo the treatment at the earliest.
How is Breast Cancer Treatment done?
Lumpectomy (also called breast conserving surgery, partial mastectomy or wide excision):
Step 1:
The surgeon makes an incision (cut) in the breast and removes the tumor, along with a small rim of normal tissue around it.
Step 2:
The surgeon closes the skin with stitches, trying to keep the breast looking as much as possible like it did before surgery.
Step 3:
The surgeon may also remove some lymph nodes in the underarm area. The tissue removed during surgery is sent to a pathologist for testing.
Mastectomy or Breast Removal Surgery:
Step 1:
A mastectomy is performed under general anesthesia. So, you are asleep during the surgery.
Step 2:
The surgeon removes all of the breast tissue. In most, but not all cases, the nipple and areola are also removed.
Step 3:
The surgeon closes the skin with stitches and puts in 1-2 tubes (surgical drains) so fluid from the wound can drain out (see image below). The drain(s) stays in for about a week to 10 days after surgery.
What is the Recovery after Breast Cancer Treatment like?
After the surgery, the patient is shifted to the recovery room where she will be under observation until awake. 1-2 days of hospitalization is required after the surgery. However, less extensive surgeries like breast conserving surgery needs a short stay.
There might be some pain and pinching sensation in the axillary region which will go off gradually. The patient is given instructions on self-care from the health care team.
One can resume daily activities within a period of 2 weeks after breast conservation surgery. However, following total mastectomy, complete recovery takes around 4 weeks. Recovery time is further extended if the patient chooses reconstruction surgery as well.
Most women feel the skin of the chest or axilla a little tight and stiff for some time, but these things improve as the time passes.
What Results Can I Expect from Breast Cancer Treatment?
The results of breast cancer surgery depend upon the stage of the disease. If detected early, breast cancer can be completely treated and one can lead a normal life after breast cancer treatment.
Questions to Ask
We at IndiCure completely understand your concerns and it is always our endeavor to provide the best outcome for every patient. Following is the list of questions you must ask before you embark on your journey for Breast Cancer Treatment in India.
- Is it time for Breast Cancer Treatment?
- Is the oncologist board certified?
- How experienced is the Surgeon?
- Which language does the surgeon speak?
- Is the treatment done in a well-equipped facility?
- What cancer treatment option is recommended for me?
- What about the risks involved?
- Does the surgeon use a certified anesthetist?
- How long will the recovery period be?
Preparation for the Surgery
Prepare to answer questions about your:
- Medical history and exams
- Previous surgeries
- Current medication review
- History of smoking, drugs, or alcohol
Frequently Asked Questions
Knee replacement and total knee replacement are the same and used interchangeably. There is a difference between knee replacement and partial knee replacement.
The surgeon removes the entire joint and replaces it with an artificial joint in a total knee replacement or knee replacement. Whereas in partial knee replacement, only internal (medial) or outside (lateral) compartments of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial pieces in a partial knee replacement.
Age and gender are not the factors taken into account while considering you as a candidate for total knee replacement. The degree of severity and disability is usually the only rationale for surgical replacement. Knee replacement is often reserved for the elderly, however it may be necessary for teenagers or adults if the knee joint has experienced excessive wear and tear.
The scar will be 8-10 inches long and will be located in the middle of the knee.
Around 5-6 weeks after surgery, the majority of patients begin to feel despondent and frustrated. It’s usual to be in such a frame of mind throughout this time. During the first six weeks, the patient may see significant improvements in pain relief and range of motion. The patient begins to feel entirely normal after 6 weeks. “Six weeks blues” is the name given to this 6-week period.
The bandage should be worn for about one week or until the wound is totally dry. This bandage should be replaced every day with a fresh piece of dry, clean gauze.
Blood transfusion is usually not required during knee replacement. However, depending on your medical parameters your surgeon would advise in case you would need blood.
On a daily basis, the patient should straighten his or her knees (extension) and bend his or her knees (flexion). It’s a good technique to work on:
- Placing a towel roll behind the ankle while lying down is an extension.
- Flexion is the act of bending your knee when sitting in a chair or riding a stationary bicycle.
In most cases, blood thinner is prescribed for a maximum of one month. However, your doctor will look into your medical history and blood parameters and advise the blood thinners in the best interest of your overall health.
All high-impact activities, such as jogging and downhill skiing, should be avoided, as should aggressive racquet sports, such as singles tennis or squash. However, if you are an active person and involved in playing high impact sports, discuss this with your surgeon before the surgery. He/She may modify the implant/technique accordingly.
After the procedure, compression stockings are not required.
Yes. When going up the stairs, you should lead with the non-operated limb, and when going down the stairs, you should lead with the operated leg. You can use the stairs in a more regular pattern after the leg is stronger (after about a month).
This differs from one patient to the next. Over 90% of knee replacements work well 10 to 15 years after surgery, according to studies.
Yes, with newer and advanced surgical techniques, both knee replacement surgeries can be done at the same time. Our surgeons usually replace both the knees at the same time, unless you have any specific medical condition that does not allow that.
Experience and turn around was great. I wouldn’t mind doing business with them again.