What is the Cost of Stage 4 Cancer Treatment in India?

Cancer Treatment Costs: Key Factors Affecting Treatment Price

Cancer is usually classified into 4 stages, from stage 0 to stage 4. Stage 4 is the most advanced stage, which means that the cancer cells have spread beyond the particular site to other body parts. This stage is very serious, and it makes the whole treatment exceptionally difficult. Stage 4 cancer is also known as metastatic cancer. Stage 4 cancer treatment cost in India in India ranges from Rs. 80,000 to Rs.50+ lakhs.

Stage 4 cancer is much resistant to conventional therapies, and the patient often faces a decline in quality of life despite aggressive treatments.

For stage 4 some traditional treatment options are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation focus to damage cancer cells, however leading to various side effects. Chemotherapy and radiation sometimes also kill healthy cells.

Surgery can also help the patient if the cancer is in one place. However, if the cancer has reached to several areas, then this treatment will be used for symptom relief. Now a days, doctors are also considering immunotherapy as a more effective option for treating cancer, as immunotherapy helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer.

Let’s understand cancer stages

How Does the Cancer Type Affect Treatment Costs?

The type of cancer directly impacts the cost of treatment because some cancers need more sophisticated and costly treatment:

• Cancers such as leukaemia, pancreatic cancer, and brain cancer need extended treatment protocols, hence increasing patient costs.

• The cost can be based on the location of the cancer and the complexity of the surgery.

• Early-stage cancers are treated with localised treatments, while advanced-stage cancers demand systemic treatments, hence high overall costs.

• The anatomical location and extent of the tumour may necessitate complex surgical interventions, affecting overall expenses.

Stage 4 cancer treatment cost in India

Note: The prices are sourced from external sources and may vary.

Cost Breakdown of Stage 4 Cancer Treatment in India

Although stage 4 cancer is very challenging to treat, some treatment options can aid the patient in managing the cancer and improve the quality of life.

For stage 4 cancer, systemic drug treatments like targeted therapy or chemotherapy are common. Frequently, a clinical trial can also be considered an option, providing the patients with new treatments to help them fight cancer.

Key Factors That Influence Pricing of Stage 4 Cancer

Some of the key factors that influence pricing are listed below:

• Type of Cancer
• Treatment Modality
• Hospital Type
• City you have chosen
• Doctor’s Expertise
   

Does Immunotherapy Work for Stage 4 Cancer?

Many people wonder if Immunotherapy Work for Stage 4 Cancer? For managing and treating certain kinds of stage 4 cancers, immunotherapy has shown significant results. It has offered a new hope to the patients, who are suffering from cancer and where traditional treatments have failed.

For example, some people with stage 4 melanoma have experienced huge improvements in survival rates due to checkpoint inhibitors. A study shows that 34% of patients with advanced melanoma have a five-year survival rate after being treated with the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

Likewise, CAR T-cell therapy has shown remarkable success in treating refractory or relapsed large B-cell lymphoma, with clinical trials indicating long-term remission in a notable percentage of patients.

It is important to note that immunotherapy comes with a lot of challenges and limitations. Its effectiveness may vary across different types of cancer. Some people experience promising results, while for other patients immunotherapy is not that effective; they do not achieve any benefit from it. Before undergoing immunotherapy, it is better to understand its side effects or limitations. Some of the side effects linked with these treatments are inflammatory responses and autoimmune reactions and must be managed effectively.

Summing Up

Stage 4 cancer is a serious illness that demands immediate health care. With proper treatment for stage 4 cancer, some people may live for some years. Particular treatment options depend on the type and location of cancer and the patient's overall health. The treatment may help to stop the growth of cancer cells, lessen the symptoms and side effects, and improve the quality of life.