Cost of Chemotherapy in India

Cancer is one of the top causes of death in the world, and chemotherapy is a proven and effective medical treatment to treat cancer. It is a treatment where your healthcare provider will inject powerful chemicals into your bloodstream and these chemicals will destroy the cancerous cells in your body. Take a look at this article to know what is the cost of chemotherapy in India.

Average Cost of Chemotherapy in India

According to Practo, the average cost of a chemotherapy session is approximately INR 18,000. The maximum cost per session can be around INR 50,000. However, costs can vary significantly based on factors such as the type of cancer, the severity of the condition, the specific treatment plan, and more.

The following table will give you a better idea about the cost of chemotherapy in India.

Factors Affecting Chemotherapy Cost

The following factors affect the cost of chemotherapy in India —

1. Cost of chemotherapy drugs:

Chemotherapy drugs, especially branded ones, tend to be quite expensive. While generic alternatives are generally more affordable, they may not be available for all chemotherapy treatments.

2. Cost of diagnostic tests:

Chemotherapy treatment may involve routine diagnostic tests, such as blood work, X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans. Doctors prescribe these tests to monitor the patient’s progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Some of these tests are expensive, leading to a significant increase in the overall cost of chemotherapy.

3. Healthcare facility costs:

While chemotherapy treatment does not always require hospitalisation, patients will still have to pay various charges. These include infusion charges, consultation fees, facility fees, nursing charges, and more. All these factors contribute to the overall costs of chemotherapy. Moreover, private hospitals are more expensive than government ones.

4. Treatment duration and frequency:

The duration and frequency of chemotherapy significantly impact the overall cost. Some patients may require shorter treatment durations, while others need longer regimens. Generally, longer durations result in higher costs. Similarly, more frequent sessions will add up to the expenses.

Extra costs of treatment

You may have to pay additional for the following:

• Certain Lab tests like ECG, blood tests, scans, X-rays, etc., to assess if you are fit enough to start chemo.

• Post-chemo care to manage the side-effects experienced.

• After-treatment tests which includes blood tests, scans, MRIs, etc., to see how your body is responding to the treatment.

• Other services like transportation charges, homecare services, hospital room costs, etc., can also affect your treatment costs.