What are the Treatments for Rare Sarcomas and Their Cost?

Understanding Rare Sarcoma Therapies and Their Costs Across Indian Hospitals

Treatment for rare sarcomas generally involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, targeted immunotherapy and chemotherapy. In India, the cost of sarcoma treatment can range from Rs. 2,50,000 to Rs. 30,00,000, depending on the specific type of sarcoma, stage, hospital, and treatment modalities.

What are the Various Types of Treatments for Rare Sarcomas and Their Costs?

Sarcomas are a rare type of cancer that develops in the body’s connective tissues. It is broadly classified into bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas. There are nearly 50 different types of soft tissue sarcomas. The specific approach for sarcoma treatment depends on the type, stage, location, and whether it has spread.

Let us discuss the various types of treatments for rare sarcomas and their costs in India:

• Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy uses certain drugs like doxorubicin and ifosfamide to kill cancer cells, which is a primary treatment for advanced or metastatic sarcomas. In India, a single session of chemotherapy costs somewhere between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 1,50,000. Chemotherapeutic drugs can cause both short-term and long-term side effects, including fatigue, nausea, and increased infection risk.
• Radiation Therapy : Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and helps in shrinking tumours after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. The average cost of a single session of radiation therapy in India is between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 3,00,000. Different types of radiation therapies are available, which can influence the overall treatment cost.
• Targeted Immunotherapy : Targeted therapy uses drugs that act on specific molecular targets within cancer cells, while immunotherapy activates the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy costs in India typically range from Rs. 2,50,000 to Rs. 8,00,000 per cycle, depending on the specific drug and treatment duration. These drugs block proteins like PD-1 or CTLA-4 that tumours use to evade the immune system, allowing the immune cells to attack cancer cells.
• Surgery : Sarcoma surgery aims to remove the tumour and a margin of surrounding healthy tissues to minimise the chance of recurrence. In India, sarcoma surgeries can cost somewhere between Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 4,00,000, depending on the malignancy of the tumour. If chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used during the surgery, it can influence the overall cost.

What are the Complications of these Treatments?

Sarcoma treatment can have various side effects, depending on the specific treatment, location of the sarcoma, and individual patient factors. Let us discuss the complications of these cancer treatments:

• Many patients experience fatigue, skin irritation, swelling, nausea, and hair loss after receiving radiation therapy.
• Themajority of patients experience loss of appetite, hair loss, mouth sores, low blood counts, and increased risk of infection after receiving the chemotherapy treatments.
• Potential liver problems and inflammation in specific organs are some common complications of immunotherapeutic procedures.

Receiving radiation in specific regions of the body can cause various types of complications. For example, radiation to the stomach can cause difficulties with digestion. Thus, it is crucial to consult with oncologists to get proper guidance on managing side effects.