Chemotherapy Cost in India

Are you searching for top cancer care hospitals in India that offer high-quality, affordable chemotherapy? BMCHRC is a trusted choice for the best chemotherapy in India.

Many cancer patients around the world choose to undergo chemotherapy in India since the country provides effective cancer treatment at a significantly lower cost compared to other advanced nations. The country is home to numerous cancer care hospitals where patients can receive outstanding care under expert oncologists, without putting on the unbearable financial burden that chemotherapy can cause elsewhere. One has access to cost-effective personalized care supported by a high-end cancer care infrastructure. Scroll down to learn more about the various aspects of chemotherapy costs for cancer.

Why Choose BMCHRC for Chemotherapy in India?

BMCHRC (Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Centre) is one of the top hospitals in India for chemotherapy. BMCHRC was established in the year 1997 as a cancer specialty hospital offering cancer prevention, treatment, education, and research. It is an NABH- and NABL-accredited super-specialty cancer center that provides personalized care for various types of cancers.

The hospital has surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology oncology, anesthesiology, neuro-oncology surgery, geriatric oncology, radiology, plastic & reconstructive surgery, nuclear medicine, pathology departments, and a blood bank equipped with advanced equipment and cutting-edge facilities.

The hospital has grown from a 50-bed facility into a 300-bed cancer specialty institution serving patients across Rajasthan and neighboring regions, and it offers supportive services such as affordable care, free or subsidized treatment for eligible patients, and holistic support programs.

What is Chemotherapy?

Body tissues are made up of billions of cells that normally divide to form two identical new cells. Cancer occurs when this process of cell multiplication continues unchecked. Chemotherapy is a common and effective drug-based approach to cancer treatment. It helps to eliminate the cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. In some cases, it is recommended after surgery or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy.

Simply put, it works by destroying cancer cells through the action of drugs. This treatment targets cells that are actively dividing by damaging their genetic material.

It is a systemic therapy, meaning it affects the entire body. Doctors often describe chemotherapy as “cytotoxic,” which means toxic to cells. Depending on the condition, either a single chemotherapy drug or a combination of drugs may be used for treatment. The specific medications prescribed depend on the type and location of the cancer, as the same drug can act differently on various cancers.

The most suitable chemotherapy treatment is determined by several factors, including the type of cancer, how the cancer cells appear under a microscope, the extent to which the disease has spread, and the patient’s overall health. Currently, there are more than 100 chemotherapy medicines available for treating different types of cancer.

Cost Range of Chemotherapy in India in Comparison to Other Nations

Chemotherapy in India is considerably more affordable in comparison to other developed nations. The overall expense depends mainly on the specific type and stage of cancer, as well as the dosage and number of chemotherapy cycles. The cost of chemotherapy per cycle in India may range from 20,000 INR (250 USD) to 200,000 INR (2,500 USD). Prior analysis of overall treatment cost, including preoperative and postoperative expenses, can help in better financial planning for the best care possible. The following information can help you to compare the cost of chemotherapy for foreigners in India to other nations:

Country	Cost per Chemotherapy Cycle (USD)	Cost per Chemotherapy Cycle (INR)*
India	$240 – $1,200	₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000
United States	$4,000 – $10,000	₹3,20,000 – ₹8,30,000
United Kingdom	$3,800 – $9,000	₹3,05,000 – ₹7,40,000
Germany	$3,000 – $6,000	₹2,40,000 – ₹4,98,000
France	$500 – $5,000	₹40,000 – ₹4,15,000
UAE	$3,500 – $7,000	₹2,80,000 – ₹5,81,000

Factors Affecting the Cost of Chemotherapy in India

The following are the factors that affect the cost of chemotherapy in India:

• Cancer Type and Stage: The advanced stage of the disease may involve lengthy and intensive treatment courses, which directly affect the overall cost.
• Cancer Medication: It is influenced by the dosage and the frequency of administration, which depend on the patient's body weight and the specific treatment regimen.
• Type of Facility: Chemotherapy requires admission to a hospital, clinic, or cancer facility. The charges for administering the drugs, including nursing care, medical supplies, and equipment usage, vary from one facility to another. 
• Doctor Consultation Fees: The consultations, expertise of the oncologist, treatment planning costs, and monitoring services provided by the oncologist during chemotherapy treatment all contribute to the total cost. 
• Supportive Therapy and Drugs: Patients feel the need to take supportive care medicines to combat the side effects of chemotherapy, like nausea, pain, and infections, during and after the therapy, which can increase the overall cost.
• Monitoring and Diagnostic Tests: Blood tests, scans, and other diagnostic tests will be required regularly, which can add to the overall cost.
• Geographic Location: Tier 1 cities are usually more expensive in healthcare than small ones due to the disparity in cost of living and demand.
• Type of Hospital: The government hospitals and charity institutions usually provide chemotherapy at lower and subsidised prices than the privately governed and corporate ones.
• Insurance Coverage: Individuals with comprehensive health insurance policies may have a significant portion of their chemotherapy costs in India covered, while those without insurance or with inadequate coverage face a greater financial burden.

Number of Chemotherapy Cycles Required

Chemotherapy is administered in cycles because, at any given time, some of the cancer cells remain in a dormant state. Chemotherapy targets cells that are actively undergoing division. Therefore, dormant cells are not eliminated.

Some of the cancer cells that were in a dormant state during your initial treatment will have begun dividing by the time of your subsequent treatment. Those cells will be eliminated during the upcoming session.

A cycle refers to the interval between the completion of one treatment session and the commencement of the subsequent session. Throughout a course of chemotherapy, patients typically undergo around four to eight treatment cycles. There is a rest period after every treatment session. This facilitates your body's recovery.

Side effects of Chemotherapy

The following are the common side effects of chemotherapy:

• Anemia
• Blood loss
• Digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Infection
• Poor appetite
• Nausea 
• Vomiting

Recovery Process After Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy side effects vary in duration, with some lasting only a short time and others continuing for months or even years after treatment ends. Side effects may persist, but time is usually the best healer, and recovery generally improves the further a patient moves away from chemotherapy. Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and regular exercise can also help minimize some long-term effects.

Depending upon your conditions, understand the chemotherapy cost in India from the top oncologists at the BMCHRC. 

Book your consultation today.

FAQs

Q1: What makes BMCHRC the trusted center for chemotherapy in India?
A: BMCHRC is an NABH- and NABL-accredited facility. Here, the distinguished oncologists of the region deliver the best chemotherapy outcomes. Advanced infrastructure and patient-focused treatment planning support the high success rate.

Q2: What advanced facilities are available in the BMCHRC that support effective chemotherapy treatment?
A: Advanced oncology departments, the availability of cutting-edge in-house diagnostics, blood bank services, day-care chemotherapy units, and multidisciplinary cancer care support enable BMCHRC to stand unparalleled in cancer care.

Q3: Does BMCHRC have experienced chemotherapy specialists?
A: Chemotherapy at BMCHRC is administered by highly trained medical oncologists with extensive experience in managing a wide range of cancers using evidence-based protocols.

Q4: What is the success rate of chemotherapy at BMCHRC?
A: Our expert delivers favorable chemotherapy results by focusing on early detection, personalized treatment planning, and continuous monitoring while maintaining patient safety and quality of life.