Indian lung cancer treatment costs: how much does it cost?

Lung cancer treatment

When the lungs’ natural mechanisms for controlling cell death malfunction and the organ’s cells begin to divide too rapidly, lung cancer develops. As a result, over time, the abnormal cell proliferation becomes a lump or tumour that may remain in place or separate and spread to different regions of the body.

Treatment for lung cancer is crucial since the lungs are important bodily organs that aid in the purification of contaminated blood and supply it to the rest of the body. A failing lung prevents the blood from being purified and prevents oxygen from getting to the rest of the body.

INDIA LUNG CANCER TREATMENT HOSPITAL

India has the following hospitals that treat lung cancer:

  • Chennai’s Global Health City
  • BLK Super Specialty Medical Centre
  • Gurgaon’s Artemis Hospital
  • Mumbai’s Global Hospital
  • The medical city Medanta
  • Institute for Fortis Memorial Research
  • Hospital Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani
  • Yeshwantpur Columbia Asia
  • Super Speciality Hospital in Nanavati
  • Aster MedCity

SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer patients have obvious indications and symptoms that should not be overlooked. Among the most prevalent lung cancer symptoms are:

  • Chest ache
  • A persistent and severe cough
  • A bloody coughing fit
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Weight reduction
  • Tiredness and exhaustion
  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
  • Neck and face swelling
  • Wheezing

The types of lung cancer that there are

Cancer of the lung can take many forms, each with its own growth pattern and dissemination pattern. The four most typical forms of lung cancer are as follows:

Among all cancer-related deaths worldwide, lung cancer is the leading cause. Cancers of the lungs can be classified into two types: non-small cell carcinomas and small cell carcinomas. Non-small cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases, while small cell carcinoma accounts for the remaining 15%.

Non-small cell carcinoma is a slow-growing type of lung cancer that usually affects the epithelial cells of the lungs. There are three subtypes of non-small cell carcinoma, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the flat cells that line the airways of the lungs, while adenocarcinoma typically begins in the cells that produce mucus. Large cell carcinoma is a less common subtype that can develop in any part of the lung and tends to grow and spread quickly.

Small cell carcinoma, on the other hand, is a more aggressive type of lung cancer that grows rapidly and has a higher tendency to spread to other parts of the body. This type of cancer is usually caused by smoking and is commonly associated with a history of heavy tobacco use. 

In summary, understanding the different types of lung cancer is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment and management of the disease. While non-small cell carcinoma is more common and typically grows slowly, small cell carcinoma is more aggressive and can quickly spread to other parts of the body. If you are concerned about lung cancer or are experiencing any symptoms, it’s important to speak with your doctor as early detection can greatly improve the chances of successful treatment.

WHY DOES LUNG CANCER OCCUR?

Lung cancer can develop for a variety of reasons, either directly or indirectly. But smoking exposure is the main factor in lung cancer. Lung cancer is more likely to occur among cigarette users and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke. The following are some other lung cancer risk factors:

  • Tuberculosis
  • Radon, asbestos, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium exposure
  • Familial lung cancer history

DIAGNOSIS OF LUNG CANCER

Because there are no readily identifiable symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, diagnosis is difficult. However, if lung cancer is suspected, clinicians use the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

    • A chest X-ray
    • Sputum examination
    • PET Scan
    • CT Scan
    • A PET scan
    • Syringe aspiration: It entails using a needle to extract a portion of lung tissue to check for the presence of cancer cells.
  • Bronchoscopy: In this exam, a bronchoscope is introduced via the throat into the bronchial passages. Thus, the aberrant lung tissue may be seen by the doctor. To find cancer cells, a tiny piece of tissue is also cut and examined under a microscope.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR HEARING CHECK-UPS

Cancer of the lung can be treated in many ways in India

Oncologists with extensive knowledge and a team of surgeons skilled in addressing medical crises treat lung cancer in India. There are several lung cancer treatment options accessible in India, and the choice of one is made based on the patient’s general health, the amount and stage of the disease, and the severity of the patient’s condition.

The following are typical forms of lung cancer therapy available in India:

Surgery: Different surgical procedures are available for lung cancer. Surgery is frequently a therapy option for non-small cell tumours that have not spread. Some frequent procedures used to treat lung cancer include the following:

  • Lobectomy: One of the cancerous lung lobes is removed during this surgical surgery. It is a typical practice. Bilobectomy is a treatment that occasionally involves the removal of two lobes simultaneously.
  • Pneumonectomy: The lung that has cancer is completely removed during this treatment. The patient is then instructed to use the spirometer to exercise and expand their lung capacity after this diminishes their ability to breathe.
  • Segmentectomy (wedge resection): Only a little section of the cancer-affected lung and a small amount of the surrounding healthy tissues are removed during this treatment. As a result, the remaining portion of the healthy lung is preserved.

Chemotherapy: This includes injecting certain anti-cancer medications intravenously or using tablets. The medications eliminate cancer cells by circulating in the blood. Some healthy cells are also destroyed during the drug’s action, but they later grow again.

Radiation treatment: To eradicate cancer cells, radiation treatment, either internal or external, directs a beam directly at the tumour location.

Targeted treatment: With the use of medications, this kind of therapy is utilised to target certain cancer cells. In the event that other therapies, such as chemotherapy, have failed, it is frequently used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has returned after treatment.

WHAT DOES LUNG CANCER CARE COST IN INDIA?

In comparison to Singapore, the US, UK, and Canada, lung cancer treatment in India is fairly inexpensive. Pneumonectomy costs $22,000 in the US and $5,000 in India. While Wedge Resection costs $15,000 in the US, it costs roughly $3,000 in India. In India, chemotherapy costs around $3,000 whereas it costs $21,000 in the US.

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