What is the Cost of Cancer Radiation?

Cancer Radiation Therapy Cost in India

Every cancer patient requires immense strength to battle cancer. Patients need to endure physical pain and mental stress, as the most complex condition in the treatment of cancer. The cost of cancer radiation therapy can be expensive to manage long-term treatment and post-therapy care. The cost of cancer treatment originates from consultations, biopsies, and radiation, as well as follow-up care, managing side effects, and other related expenses.

Know Radiation in Details

Radiotherapy, also known as Radiation, is a treatment of cancer that uses high-powered radiation, like X-rays, to destroy cancer cells. It works with heavy beams to eliminate cancer cells directly from the body without harming adjacent tissues. During this treatment, both cancerous and healthy cells can be destroyed.

Radiotherapy is the only treatment that shrinks tumour cells before any cancer preventive options, like surgery. It also destroys the remaining DNA of cancer cells after adjuvant therapy and prevents cancer cells from recurring. 

Cost of Cancer Radiation in India

In India, the cost of cancer radiation ranges from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 20,00,000, depending on the type of radiation involved and the recommended treatment. The cost of different types of radiation therapy in India is presented in a tabular format.

Cancer radiotherapy is expensive in India due to the use of some advanced techniques such as IMRT and IGRT. The entire radiation process cost is different in each city in India. Here, the following table highlights a better understanding of price ranges in different cities:

Pre and Post-Radiation Therapy Treatment Cost

Let’s understand the costs associated with pre-and post-treatment expenses to be financially prepared or to calculate insurance coverage before treatment.

The pre-radiation treatment costs include:

• Consultation fees, depending on the specialist and the type of hospital, can vary from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000.
• Before therapy begins, diagnostic tests like CT scans, PET scans, blood examinations, and MRI charges are included. It helps to detect the stage of tumour cells to plan for treatment that costs a maximum of Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000.  
• Simulation cost and advanced visualisation of radiation plan can cost approximately. Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000.
• Additional costs of activities, including biopsies and medications to manage other health conditions.  

At the same time, the post-radiation treatment cost involves

• The cost of follow-up visits and physical examinations are important for evaluating and monitoring health conditions.
• Routine imaging and diagnostic tests are used to measure the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
• Medication of radiation therapy has side effects like pain, skin rashes, fatigue, etc.
• Cost of supportive care, including charges for a caregiver to assist with daily activities.

To manage all the expenses of radiation treatment, everyone needs to approach the Critical Illness Insurance Scheme to secure financial protection against emergency expenses.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Cancer Radiation Therapy

The cost of radiation for cancer revolves around a few factors that are:

• A package of radiation treatment including doses and duration of treatment.
• Depends on the type of cancer.
• Radiation costs include technical charges such as the cost of the machine used in the laboratory.
• Stage of cancer and patient health conditions.
• Other miscellaneous costs include nursing charges, medicines, and hospitalisation charges.

Advantages of Performing Cancer Radiation Therapy

The practical benefits of radiation therapy for cancer are outlined below:

• Stops the growth of cancer cells and prevents relapse.
• Helps to treat cancer-related symptoms like pain, bladder, and breathing issues.
• Minimal invasive process.
• Imparts life quality.

The cost of cancer radiation is expensive in India, so buying a critical illness health insurance policy can help to get quality treatment without financial stress. Radiation therapy helps to stop and reduce the recurrence of cancer cells with few side effects like hair loss, skin irritation and fatigue.  

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