Bone cancer is a rare disease, but it is a very serious health problem. The health condition either begins in the bones or spreads into the bones as a result of metastatic expansion of the malignancy present in different organs. The ailment normally impacts the long bones of arms and legs. However, it can occur in any bone and spread across. Early diagnosis and timely treatment increases the chances of restoring the quality of life of the patient. Cost is an important factor in ensure quality diagnosis and treatment of the ailment. This guide here focuses on helping you understand the cost for bone cancer treatment in India and factors affecting it.
What is Bone cancer?
Bone cancer is a malignancy present in the human bones. Either the ailment begins in the bones or reaches to the bones after metastasising from another organ, where it is already present. Primary types of bone cancers mainly include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. These types of bone cancers may vary in terms of aggressiveness and age. Some of the key symptoms of the bone cancer primarly include continuous pain in the bones, swelling in the affected area and fractures due to weakening of the bone.
Cost of Bone cancer treatment in India
Cost of bone cancer treatment in India varies based on several aspects such as city of treatment, hospital where the treatment is taking place, advanced technology used in diagnosis and treatment, age of the patient, severty of the ailment and stage of the bone cancer. These factors collectively affect the overall cost the patient has to incur for getting advanced treatment. Overall, the cost for bone cancer treatment in India ranges between INR 2,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 (approximately $2,400 to $24,000). This includes a wide range of diagnosis, treatments (as recommended by the oncologists) and post-treatment recovery. Detailed insights about the cost structure are given below:
| Did You Know? Cost of bone cancer treatment in India is 70–80% more affordable as compared to several webster countries without making any compromises in the quality of treatment. India is home to advanced medical infrastructure for cancer care treatment. |
Diagnosis Cost for Bone Cancer
Accurate and timely diagnosis helps the medical care experts to treat bone cancer effectively and in it increases the chances of recovery. There are several types of diagnostic tests available to assess the presence and stage of the tumor in bones. Based on the initial symptoms, the medical care experts may suggest a comprehensive roadmap for diagnosis. The cost estimation for bone cancer diagnosis is shared below for your reference.
| Diagnostic Test | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Primary consultation and diagnosis | INR 5,000 – INR 15,000 | $60 – $180 |
| Needle biopsy Surgical biopsy | INR 10,000 – INR 25,000 | $120 – $300 |
| Imaging tests including MRI, CT Scan, X-ray etc. | INR 15,000 – INR 40,000 | $180 – $480 |
| Limb-sparing Surgery Amputation Surgery | INR 1,50,000 – INR 6,00,000 | $1,800 – $7,200 |
Chemotherapy Cost for Bone Cancer
Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used non-surgical treatment for treating different types of cancers including bone cancer. Chemotherapy is primarily used to treat several types of bone cancers including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. The treatment could be used pre or post the surgery as a support treatment to destroy the tumor. The cost for one cycle of INR 30,000 to INR 1,00,000 ($360 to $1,200), which makes the total cost of chemotherapy ranging between INR 2,00,000 to INR 12,00,000 ($2,400 to $14,400). This cost is affected based on the drugs used, sessions required and the city and hospital where the treatment is taking place.
Radiation Therapy Cost for Bone Cancer
Raditation therapy is widely used in the treatment of bone cancer. This therapy is specifically used to minimise the size of the tumors, which are not possible to be removed using surgery. This further helps in removing the reduced tumors using surgery. The approximate cost of radiation therapy for bone cancer ranges between INR1,00,000 to INR 3,00,000 ($1,200 to $3,600). The therapy may require multiple sessions and the cost is estimated by considering the same.
Immunotherapy Cost for Bone Cancer
Immunotherapy is becoming a rising treatment for several types of bone cancers, mainly in the advanced as well as metastatic cases. The average cost for immunotherapy per dose ranges between INR 1,50,000 – INR 3,50,000 ($1,800 – $4,200). In addition to that, the monthly cost for the immunotherapy treatment ranges between INR ₹,00,000 – INR 7,00,000 ($3,600 – $8,400). Looking at these numbers, the full treatment for immunotherapy, which may range between 3-6 months costs around INR 9,00,000 – INR 30,00,000 ($10,800 – $36,000).
Targeted Therapy Cost for Bone Cancer
Targeted therapy focuses on targeting the genes and proteins which contribute to the cancer’s growth in the bones. The treatment takes place monthly and may take place for several months, and therefore the cost varies for each patient and their speed of recovery. Normally, the cost per month ranges between ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000/month ($600 – $2,400).
Post-treatment Care for Bone Cancer
Rahibilitation support and physiotherapy are the prominent parts of recovery support for bone cancer treatment. For the post-treatment care and support, the cost approx INR 10,000 – INR 50,000 ($120 – $600). Cost of medications ranges from INR 3,000 – INR 15,000 ($36 – $180) and post-treatment checkups (doctor visit, blood tests, imaging tests, etc) cost INR 800 – INR 25,000 ($10 – $300). The cost of post-treatment care varies based on the time, place of treatment, age of patient and recovery speed.
Factors Affecting Cost of Bone Cancer Treatment in India
Cancer stage and complexity:
The severity of the bone tumor and its stage vastly impact the overall cost.
Age and immunity level of the patient:
For the patients that are old in age and have lower immunity, might require additional care, different treatment planning and post-treatment support, which impacts the overall cost.
Hospital/Doctors/City of treatment:
Which hospital is chosen for the treatment by the patient, experience and expertise of the doctors involved and city of treatment impact the overall cost incured for the treatment.
Complications in the treatment:
Medical conditions and especially the severe ones, such as cancer, have a complex treatment structure. In such situations, there are several predicted and uncertain complications, which the medical care experts need to address. This impacts the overall cost for the treatment significantly.
Treatment structure:
How the treatment is designed and what types of surgical and non-surgical treatment options are involved impact the cost for bone cancer treatment in India.
How to Access Affordable Bone Cancer Treatment in India?
Patients suffering from bone cancer are already living a complex and overwhelming time of their life. In such situations, planning and navigating through the cost estimates could be very challenging. It brings financial challenges as well for several patients, and knowing about available financial aid options could be very helpful for them. Some of the main financial aids available for cancer treatment in India are the following:
- Insurance policies: There are various insurance companies offering dynamic insurance policies that help patients get excellent financial support for their treatment.
- Support from charitable trusts: Patients can also explore the financial aid options offered by several charitable organisations, making the treatment process easier for the patients.
- Crowdfunding support: There are various platforms through which crowdfunding support can be attained. With the help of these platforms, campaigns can be organised, seeking support for contributing to a patient’s cancer care treatment.
Why Choose Cancerrounds?
Cancer Round is a trusted platform dedicated to helping domestic and international patients get access to the best cancer treatment in India. We’re a team of compassionate and dedicated medical tourism professionals, focusing on providing the best-in-class support patients need in their cancer care journey. You can rely on us for the following kinds of services:
- Detailed consultation for cancer care
- Connecting patients with best hospitals in the country
- Providing cost estimation and financial aid
- Providing tourism support for international patients
- Visa support
- Assistance with finding suitable accommodation
- End-to-end support with treatment planning
- Booking appointments with doctors from top-notch hospitals
Conclusion
Bone cancer is a very challenging and serious ailment. India is making great progress in providing advanced medical care for bone cancer patients. The range of treatments includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, surgical treatments, and radiation therapy etc. Cost for these treatments varies on several factors such as the city where the treatment is conducted, the hospital and the doctors involved. There’s support and financial aid available, making the treatment journey for the patients easier. It is important to get expert consultation and guidance before planning the entire cost and selecting a hospital.
